Neuville leads Rally Italia Sardegna as Solberg holds third
Photo: Hyundai Motorsport
Thierry Neuville took the lead of Rally Italia Sardegna from Adrien Fourmaux on Friday's final special stage. After the first day, the two Hyundai i20 N Rally1 drivers are separated by just 0.4s. Oliver Solberg is third in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, 12.3s behind the Hyundai pair.
Neuville passes Fourmaux on the day's last stage
Fourmaux had led since SS3. He won SS2 before taking the lead and added SS5 later in the day. The afternoon on Sardinia's gravel brought stones on the road, punctures and tire management problems.
Neuville, the 2024 world champion, won Friday's last two stages. On the Monti di Alà-Sa Conchedda-Lerno stage he overturned a 4.7s deficit and finished the day in front.
"Our tire management and tire choice paid off. I was tempted to go with something similar to Adrien, but in the end I was fairly sure my feeling was right, and I'm happy with that," the Hyundai driver said. Neuville added that the situation is good for Hyundai and for Fourmaux, and said he hopes the fight will continue on Saturday.
According to WRC, Fourmaux had one of the strongest days of his Rally1 career. He drove carefully through the increasingly punishing afternoon stages and stayed in the fight for victory. "I'm very happy with the day. We started strong. I think it's good for the team as well," he said.
Solberg third despite a damaged tire
Solberg, who is chasing his first world title, lost time on Friday's opening stage with a damaged tire. He then began recovering, won SS4 and closed the day with two particularly strong runs.
Ogier, Pajari and Evans off the podium
Nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier is fourth, 37.4s behind Neuville. A punctured right-front tire on SS3 cost him more than 25s, though he recovered some of the lost time.
Sami Pajari was faster than Elfyn Evans on all six of Friday's gravel stages and sits fifth, 40.2s off Neuville.
As championship leader, Evans faced the toughest road conditions, and in the afternoon he lacked confidence driving his Toyota. "We're here. We'll see. I think tomorrow will show how we deal with the road position," the Welshman said after SS7.
Josh McErlean ended Friday seventh in his M-Sport Ford. Dani Sordo's difficult rally continued: the Hyundai driver went off the road on Friday's final stage. He and his new co-driver, Patricia Sáiz, were unhurt.
Title picture heading into Saturday
In the rally standings, Solberg is 27.9s ahead of Pajari, another title contender, and 56.6s ahead of championship leader Evans.
Saturday features six special stages and 123.66 km of competitive driving.