Mads Ostberg fears the engine problems that are holding him back on Wales Rally GB might cost him the final podium place on the world championship finale.
The Norwegian continues to lose time in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta. Speaking at the finish of the repeat of the Sweet Lamb stage, Ostberg said: “I just want to get through and I’ve been told by the team just to use high revs and no torque. I don’t have a clue what the problem is but if we stop the car it will only restart on three cylinders. It seems to be a big problem and I’m not sure if we can fix that in service (this evening).”
In the battle for first place, Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala has extended his advantage over Sebastien Loeb to 1.5s after going 0.2s faster than his Citroen rival through the run.
“It’s much more slippery in the afternoon because it’s been raining and it’s taken the gravel off the top of the surface to leave a hard base, which is basically polished mud,” said the Finn.
Loeb said: “We lose a lot of power after the water splash so for sure the time won’t be so good.”
| Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | J. LATVALA / M. ANTTILA | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | 2h22m40.5s |
| 02 | S. LOEB / D. ELENA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +1.5s |
| 03 | M. ØSTBERG / J. ANDERSSON | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +2m19.1s |
| 04 | H. SOLBERG / I. MINOR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +4m50.5s |
| 05 | K. MEEKE / P. NAGLE | MINI WRC | +5m43.5s |
| 06 | M. WILSON / S. MARTIN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +6m18.9s |
| 07 | D. KUIPERS / F. MICLOTTE | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +7m07.3s |
| 08 | O. TÄNAK / K. SIKK | FORD Fiesta RS WRC | +7m08.7s |
| 09 | E. NOVIKOV / D. GIRAUDET | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +7m46.7s |
| 10 | K. BLOCK / A. GELSOMINO | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +12m01.7s |
| 11 | A. ARAÚJO / M. RAMALHO | MINI WRC | +12m29.7s |
| 12 | K. ABBRING / L. VANNESTE | SKODA Fabia S2000 | +12m46.4s |
| 13 | H. PADDON / J. KENNARD | SUBARU Impreza R4 | +12m57.7s |
| 14 | P. FLODIN / T. ALANNE | SUBARU Impreza | +15m12.3s |
| 15 | S. OGIER / J. INGRASSIA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +17m09.1s |