P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier is closing in on a third straight FIA World Rally Championship win after distancing his nearest rival, Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, on Saturday’s grueling second leg of Rally Italy…
Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier is on the verge of securing his third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship victory as he outpaces Hyundai’s Ott Tanak during the challenging second leg of Rally Italy Sardinia on Saturday. Despite a turbulent day with multiple lead changes, Ogier will start Sunday’s final leg with a 17.1s lead over Tanak, following a tire mishap that saw him trailing by 3.5s mid-leg. The eight-time WRC champion’s aggressive performance in the afternoon stages allowed him to reclaim the lead and set benchmark times, showcasing his determination to win. Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville’s unfortunate crash further shook up the standings, propelling Takamoto Katsuta to the podium before a transmission issue thwarted his progress. In the WRC2 category, Toyota’s Sami Pajari continues to impress in 6th place overall, extending his lead over the competition with a commanding performance.
