Hyundai claimed its first stage victory in the WRC when Dani Sordo topped the timesheets in this morning’s opening 21.50km Silves.
The Spaniard was fastest by 1.3sec, despite the right rear window on his i20 popping out in the test. Sordo reported slight understeer, but the handling issues afflicting team-mate Thierry Neuville were bigger.
“I struggled like hell with understeer. It’s moving too much and I don’t feel too confident at the moment,” said the Belgian, who was 11th fastest and planned to work on the set-up before the following Ourique test.
Andreas Mikkelsen was almost 23sec behind Sordo, the Norwegian admitting to a cautious start in his Volkswagen Polo R following a roll at the last round in Mexico. “I need to rebuild my confidence. I need to use my head and build the speed gradually,” he said.
It’s going to be a long day for Paul Nagle, co-driver in Kris Meeke’s Citroen DS3. He is struggling with a stomach upset and didn’t eat at all yesterday.