After four special stages, Paddon is tied for third place. Paddon, aiming for a second consecutive ERC title, is 11.2 seconds behind leader Andrea Crugnola from Italy. Crugnola has a slight lead, but the rally is just beginning.
Simone Tempestini of Romania is narrowly in second place. Paddon and Simone Campedelli of Italy are only 0.7 seconds behind Tempestini.
“I didn’t drive very cleanly and hit a rock at the start in one cut. We’re constantly learning about the car and the asphalt, so we’re satisfied,” said Tempestini.
“This stage was quite tough on the car due to the uphill sections. It’s not the best situation for our car. However, we enjoyed it. The car is working great and the stages are beautiful,” Paddon commented.
Mathieu Franceschi from France, competing with Paddon for the ERC title, is in fifth place, followed by Slovenian Bostjan Avbelj. The duo is less than two seconds behind the third place. Avbelj set his first fastest time in the ERC series on Saturday morning’s opening stage.
“Overall, we can be happy. We got our first fastest time in the ERC. This last stage didn’t go very well, but we’ll improve next time,” said Avbelj.
Among the top eight drivers are also Spain’s Efren Llarena and Italy’s veteran driver Giandomenico Basso. The top ten are completed by Roberto Dapra and Miko Marczyk.
The ERC Rome will have three more special stages on Saturday. The rally concludes on Sunday.
The standings of ERC Rome after SS4/13:
| POS. | Driver | Team | Time |
| 1. | Andrea Crugnola | Citroen | 29:10.4 |
| 2. | Simone Tempestini | Skoda | +11.2 |
| 3. | Hayden Paddon | Hyundai | +11.9 |
| 3. | Simone Campedelli | Skoda | +11.9 |
| 5. | Mathieu Franceschi | Skoda | +13.2 |
| 6. | Boštjan Avbelj | Skoda | +13.8 |
| 7. | Efrén Llarena | Skoda | +17.7 |
| 8. | Giandomenico Basso | Toyota | +20.5 |
| 9. | Roberto Daprà | Skoda | +23.3 |
| 10. | Miko Marczyk | Skoda | +24.7 |
| 11. | Andrea Mabellini | Skoda | +25.2 |
| 12. | Mads Østberg | Citroen | +29.8 |
