Luca Rossetti has hit back on Rali Vinho Madeira by going fastest on the 14.29-kilometre Referta test in his Abarth Grande Punto.
Freddy Loix continues to lead the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier Škoda but his advantage has now been trimmed to 7.1s.
Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke is still third but Jan Kopecký has closed to within 1.8s of the Northern Irishman.
Crews are now returning to service north of Funchal ahead of the day’s final four stages.
Overall positions after SS9:
| Pos. | Team | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Loix Freddy / Miclotte Fréderic | Škoda Fabia S2000 | 1h22m50.1s |
| 02 | Rossetti Luca / Chiarcossi Matteo | Fiat Grande Punto S2000 | +7.1s |
| 03 | Meeke Kris / Nagle Paul | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +16.0s |
| 04 | Kopecký Jan / Starý Petr | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +17.8s |
| 05 | Hänninen Juho / Markkula Mikko | Škoda Fabia S2000 | +34.3s |
| 06 | Nunes Miguel / Calado Victor | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +1m05.7s |
| 07 | Sá Vítor / Rodrigues Nuno | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +1m25.2s |
| 08 | Pinto Rui / Faria Luis | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +4m07.5s |
| 09 | Magalhăes Joăo / Pereira Jorge | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +4m21.5s |
| 10 | Freitas Filipe / Figueiroa Daniel | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X | +4m22.1s |
| 11 | Silva Joăo / Janela José | Renault Clio R3 | +4m34.6s |
| 12 | Moura Ricardo / Costa Antonio | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +5m05.3s |
| 13 | Peres Pedro / Ferreira Tiago | Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX | +5m10.1s |
| 14 | Bruyneel Dominique / Vanneste Lara | Peugeot 207 S2000 | +5m55.8s |
| 15 | Serrado Luís / Sousa Marco | Peugeot 206 S1600 | +5m56.9s |