Briton Elfyn Evans (Toyota) led the Croatia WRC rally on Saturday, ahead of Estonian Ott Tänak (M-Sport / Ford) and Finland’s Esapekka Lappi (Hyundai) with seven stages to go before the finish Sunday. Thierry Neuville, who was leader on Friday evening, went out on the 11th special on Saturday morning and was forced to retire. His Hyundai skidded around a bend and shot straight, hitting trees with no damage to the Belgian crew but their car was too damaged to continue.
Frenchman Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) moved up to 4th place at the end of the 13th special after picking up a penalty on Friday evening which caused him to drop in the standings. Ogier, eight-time WRC world champion, does not participate in all the championship events but does a “freelance” in Croatia for the Japanese manufacturer. However, it was he who before this 4th round was leading the provisional classification of the championship thanks to his victories in the rally of Monte Carlo and that of Mexico. He precedes Thierry Neuville and the Finnish Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota), reigning champion and who was 6th on Saturday before the last 3 special stages of the day.
The classification of Rally Croatia at the end of the 13th special on Saturday.1. Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR) Toyota 2:00:58.62. Ott Tänak/Martin Jarveoja (EST) M-Sport/Ford at 15.9 seconds3. Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (FIN) Hyundai at 54.34. Sebastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA) Toyota at 2:01.25. Pierre-Louis Loubet/Nicolas Gilsoul (FRA) M-Sport/Ford 2:05.96. Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (FIN) Toyota 2:06.1….