Factory Citroen team-mates Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier have set the equal fastest time on the second gravel stage of Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
But there was despair for fellow DS3 WRC driver Petter Solberg who picked up a front-right puncture and lost more than one minute to his rivals. “In a right-hand bend there was a rock on the inside and I hit it and had the puncture,” said the Norwegian.
Solberg’s woe means that Loeb moves into second with Ogier up to fourth behind Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala, who was 1.4s slower than the Citroens through stage three.
“My driving was much better in this one, I have more confidence in the car,” said Loeb. “I changed the set-up of the suspension before the start of the stage.”
Mikko Hirvonen, who was fourth quickest through the stage, continues to lead overall in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC. The Finn’s advantage out front has increased to 2.4s.
“This stage was the most slippery so far,” he said afterwards.
Standings after SS3:
| Pos. | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | M. HIRVONEN / J. LEHTINEN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | 29m51.7s |
| 02 | S. LOEB / D. ELENA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +2.4s |
| 03 | J. LATVALA / M. ANTTILA | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +4.8s |
| 04 | S. OGIER / J. INGRASSIA | Citroën DS3 WRC | +5.1s |
| 05 | M. WILSON / S. MARTIN | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +46.0s |
| 06 | P. SOLBERG / C. PATTERSSON | Citroën DS3 WRC | +58.6s |
| 07 | H. SOLBERG / I. MINOR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +58.8s |
| 08 | A. ARAUJO / M. RAMALHO | Mini John Cooper Works S2000 | +1m17.8s |
| 09 | K. RAIKKONEN /K. LINDSTROM | Citroën DS3 WRC | +1m18.9s |
| 10 | F. VILLAGRA / J. PÉREZ COMPANC | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +1m32.5s |
| 11 | B. SOUSA / A.COSTA | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +1m39.7s |
| 12 | K. AL QASSIMI / M. ORR | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +1m49.7s |
| 13 | H. PADDON / J. KENNARD | Subaru Impreza STI | +2m08.0s |
| 14 | D. KUIPERS / F. MICLOTTE | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +2m09.2s |
| 15 | A. GRONDAL / V. ENGAN | Subaru Impreza STI | +2m25.4s |