Belgian driver Thierry Neuville has extended his lead in the FIA World Rally Championship after a strong performance on Friday at the Central European Rally.
Driving for Hyundai Motorsport, Neuville edged ahead of Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier to claim the overnight lead. The Belgian displayed impressive skill and precision on the challenging asphalt stages, navigating the tricky conditions with finesse.
Ogier, despite a valiant effort, couldn’t quite match Neuville’s pace and found himself trailing by a narrow margin. Hyundai’s Ott Tänak also secured a podium position, further solidifying the team’s strong performance.
While Neuville’s victory would significantly bolster his championship bid, the race is far from over. With several challenging stages still to come, the outcome remains uncertain. Ogier and Tänak are both capable of mounting a comeback and could potentially steal the lead.
The Central European Rally continues on Saturday with a demanding schedule of stages. As the drivers battle it out for victory, the championship standings will undoubtedly be reshaped.
Friday Classification:
1. T Neuville / M Wydaeghe BEL Hyundai i20 N 1h 4m 40.0s
2. S Ogier / V Landais FRA Toyota GR Yaris +6.4s
3. O Tänak / M Järveoja EST Hyundai i20 N +7.8s
4. E Evans / S Martin GBR Toyota GR Yaris +15.1s
5. T Katsuta / A Johnston JPN Toyota GR Yaris +38.6s
6. S Pajari / E Mälkönen FIN Toyota GR Yaris +1m 28.2s
