WRC | Rally Croatia, SS7: Evans overtakes Neuville and takes the lead

The predictable overtaking occurred. Elfyn Evans became the new leader of the Croatian Rally, the fourth round of the 2024 WRC, setting the second time in Special Stage 7, the 9.48 kilometer Jaskovo – Mali Modrus Potok 2.

Thanks to this result, the Welshman of Toyota Gazoo Racing took the lead by 1″7 better than Thierry Neuville. This means that there is now 1″6 in favor of Evans between the two with just one test left to go until the end of the race. first step.

Evans was able to use two more Soft tires than Neuville after what happened on SS6 in which, we recall, the Hyundai Motorsport driver made a mistake and ended up pinching a rock with his front right wheel. This irreparably damaged the tire and cost him about ten seconds.

To close the day, therefore, there will be today's longest test where Neuville could take advantage of the Hard tires and a better starting position than that of his direct rival to regain the position.

Meanwhile, Sébastien Ogier set the fastest time, winning the race ahead of Evans and a rediscovered Ott Tanak. Ogier is 17″6 from the top, still too far to aspire to victory.

For Tanak, however, the afternoon lap was like a cure-all, seeing him return among the protagonists in terms of times on the special stage, now more competitive after the anonymous ones of the morning.

Thanks to this result, the Hyundai Motorsport driver secured fourth position, with Adrien Fourmaux – fifth in the first Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid – 13 seconds clear.

The difficult day continues for Takamoto Katsuta and Andreas Mikkelsen, both outside the Top 5 and too far away to aspire to enter except through big mistakes by those in front of them.

WRC 2024 – Rally Croatia – Ranking after SS7