P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Friday in Saudi Arabia was the toughest day of the season. The overnight leaders Adrien Fourmaux and Alex Coria ended the day with a slim 2.4 second lead over Martins Sesks and Renars Francis with Thierry Neuville climbing into the final podium position. On the road, Fourmaux had ended SS14 with a narrow 2.4sec cushion […]
Friday in Saudi Arabia proved to be a challenging day for the competitors. Adrien Fourmaux and Alex Coria held a slim 2.4 second lead over Martins Sesks and Renars Francis, with Thierry Neuville climbing into the final podium position. However, a time penalty for an overnight infringement saw Sesks move into the top spot.
The day was marked by tire punctures, with Elfyn Evans being the first to stop and change a tire, dropping down the overall standings. The midday service break saw a tight battle at the front, with Fourmaux still leading but with Sesks closing in.
Despite a strong performance by Tanak, winning a stage to tie for third, Sesks continued to dominate, regaining the rally lead after a mistake by Fourmaux. The final stage of the day saw punctures for several competitors, but Sesks managed to hold onto his second position.
As the day ended, Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston held fourth place, followed by Kalle Rovanperä claiming victory in the final stage. The competition is fierce heading into Saturday, with a potential first-time WRC winner and the championship title still up for grabs. Sebastien Ogier emphasized the importance of caution in order to finish the rally.
