WRC | Rally Italia Sardinia, SS8: Neuville KO. Tanak extends

The second passage on the special Tula, namely Special Stage 8 of the Rally Italia Sardegna, has highlighted a new ranking full of twists and turns.

In the last stage of today’s morning tour we do not begin to talk about the sporting result of the same, but the event that will most likely reshape the World Drivers’ ranking as regards the gaps between the leaders in the standings.

Thierry Neuville made a mistake at the 15th kilometer of the scheduled 22.61, taking a rather slow right-hand curve too quickly. The Belgian immediately noticed the excessive speed with which he reached the braking point and tried to rotate the rear to avoid going off the road, but he was unable to do so.

The number 11 Hyundai i20 N Rally1 slid towards the outside, ending up in a ditch and without having the chance to return to practice. None of the 4-wheel drive was in contact with the ground and, importantly, at the point where Neuville went out there were no spectators present who could help him. This led him into a bitter retirement.

It is not clear whether it was a pilot error – he arrived too hard at the braking point – or a misreading of the note by Wydaeghe. What is certain is that Neuville was comfortably in third position, with over half a minute ahead of the first rival behind him.

A serious mistake, because he was about to bring home important points for the World Championship, also taking advantage of an Evans in enormous difficulty. Instead, he will now have to hope to bring home points tomorrow, those on Super Sunday and the Power Stage, even if he will start the tests in a position that is anything but favorable.

As for the fight for success, Ott Tanak took advantage of a broken tire – the left rear – on Sébastien Ogier’s Toyota GR Yaris to get ahead of the Frenchman. Tanak did 1″3 better than his rival and now his margin is 3″5.

Ogier has to complain and blame himself, because the broken tire is the result of an impact with a rock caused by a small driving error on his part. The fact remains that the two contenders for success remained very close and, to complete the day, there are still 4 more special tests to go.

For Tanak, however, it must be considered that Neuville’s withdrawal opens unexpected doors for him, namely those that will make him return to the fight for the world title. However, he will have to bring home the full result between today, tomorrow and the power stage, hoping that his teammate brings home as few points as possible on Super Sunday.

They also thank Takamoto Katsuta, who returns to third, and Dani Sordo, now fourth, for Neuville’s retirement. Elfyn Evans completes the Top 5 and has the chance to recover heavy points on his title rival.

In WRC2 Sami Pajari is not only in great form, but can count on a considerable margin over all his rivals, to say the least. Jan Solans, second with the second Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in the standings, is 49″2 behind the young Finn.

The morning lap of this second stage of the Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 ends here. Now the drivers will be able to use the Tire Fitting Zone to change tires in view of the afternoon lap, but they will not be able to count on the mid-day Service to prepare the cars in view of today’s last 4 stages. The race will resume this afternoon with Special Stage 9, the Monte Lerno – Monti di Ala 1 of 25.33 kilometres. The first car will enter testing at 2.10pm.

WRC 2024 – Rally Italia Sardegna – Ranking after SS8