Monaco GP: Alonso edges Hamilton

Fernando Alonso set the pace in Thursday's second practice session in Monaco as Ferrari and McLaren came to the fore

Alonso, who is bidding to win the Monaco GP with his third different team this weekend, crossed the line with a 1:15.123 to edge McLaren's Lewis Hamilton by 0.105s.

Third place went to Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg, who finished ahead of Jenson Button, while Sebastian Vettel could only manage the fifth best time. The reigning World Champion was half a second behind the leading Ferrari.

Felipe Massa took sixth place ahead of Michael Schumacher and Mark Webber.

Report: The sun was out and the track temperature was a hot 45'C as Timo Glock hit the track to start Thursday's second practice in Monte Carlo. Pastor Maldonado narrowly escaped damaging his car as he locked up, run wide and had to take to the escape road.

The drivers were quick to get down to work with Vitaly Petrov leading the way ahead of Jaime Alguersuari while Mark Webber, who missed FP1 with a gearbox problem, took third place ahead of Sebastien Buemi. Felipe Massa was the next to lead the way with a 1:17.483. Yellow flags came out as Alguersuari made a mistake, hitting the barriers at Turn 1.

A near collision between the two Ferrari drivers as Fernando Alonso, on course for the P1 slot, came up behind his team-mate, who was slowing down to make room for himself. Alonso came within a millimetres of hitting the back of Massa's car. The Spaniard will not be happy.

Nico Rosberg took over at the top with Jenson Button improving to second place and Lewis Hamilton to fifth behind Massa and Petrov. Without his team-mate in front of him to bulk him, Alonso was able to take the P1 slot with a 1:16.408. Hamilton climbed to fourth place as Sebastian Vettel just, and only just, missed hitting the barriers with the rear left of his RB7.

Heikki Kovalainen had to take to the escape road after missing his braking point. Massa, pushing too hard, almost lost it around the Casino hairpin. Problems for Paul di Resta as the Scot is pushed down the escape road by the marshals after coming to a halt at the chicane.

At the halfway point of the session it was Alonso ahead of Rosberg, Button, Hamilton, Massa, Petrov, Rubens Barrichello and Buemi.

Massa is doing everything he can to put his car in the wall and mounts the kerb, almost hits the armco barrier and a few metres later, almost hits the barrier again. But hey he's up to third, 0.718s slower than his team-mate. Massa was dropped one place at Vettel took the P1 slot with a 1:15.667, almost a second quicker than his P1time from this morning. Massa moved up to second place, 0.114s off Vettel's time.

Alonso returned to the front, half a second up on Vettel's best. Rosberg improved to second place with Vettel taking third before he was dropped by Button. Hamilton climbed to second place, missing out on the P1 time by a tenth. Minor problems for Glock, Hamilton and Schumacher, all of whom ran off the track but without any damage. Massa stalled as he attempted to leave the pits and Petrov lost his front wing as he exited the tunnel.

Thursday's second practice ended with Alonso in the P1 slot, ahead of Hamilton and Rosberg.

Times
01. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m15.123s 42 laps
02. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.228s + 0.105 33 laps
03. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m15.321s + 0.198 44 laps
04. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.448s + 0.325 38 laps
05. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m15.667s + 0.544 46 laps
06. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m15.781s + 0.658 45 laps
07. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m16.356s + 1.233 33 laps
08. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m16.642s + 1.519 42 laps
09. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m17.101s + 1.978 46 laps
10. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m17.126s + 2.003 38 laps
11. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m17.337s + 2.214 35 laps
12. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m17.541s + 2.418 47 laps
13. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m17.570s + 2.447 39 laps
14. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m17.581s + 2.458 32 laps
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m17.633s + 2.510 49 laps
16. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m17.706s + 2.583 37 laps
17. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m17.789s + 2.666 43 laps
18. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m18.266s + 3.143 50 laps
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m18.490s + 3.367 39 laps
20. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m19.053s + 3.930 15 laps
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m19.185s + 4.062 40 laps
22. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m19.338s + 4.215 35 laps
23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m22.066s + 6.943 33 laps

Source: Planet-F1

The Monaco GP timetable

Monaco is usually the highlight on the calendar for every driver. This year's grand prix around the narrow streets of Monte Carlo marks the sixth race of the 2011 F1 World Championship

All times are local (Monaco is GMT +2)

Wednesday 25 May
15:00: FIA press conference

Thursday 26 May
10:00 - 11:30: First free practice
14:00 - 15:30: Second free practice
16:00: FIA press conference

Saturday 28 May
11:00 - 12:00: Third free practice
14:00 - 15:00: Qualifying
15h00: FIA post qualifying press conference

Sunday 29 May
14:00 - 16:00: Monaco GP
16:00: FIA post race press conference

Monaco GP Info
No of Laps: 78
Race Distance: 260.520km
Lap Record: 1:14.439 - M Schumacher (2004)
2010 Winner: Mark Webber (Red Bull)

Source: Planet-F1

Qualifying: Vettel's reign continues

There really is no stopping Sebastian Vettel at the moment as the reigning World Champ claimed his third pole of the season in China

Vettel will line up in P1 for tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix, followed by McLaren's Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton with Nico Rosberg in fourth.

All the drama of the session occured in Q1 with Mark Webber going out and Q2 which eliminated Michael Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld and limited Vitaly Petrov's ambitions after he stopped out on track.

Times
01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 01:33.706 14 laps
02. Jenson Button McLaren 01:34.421 13 laps

03. Lewis Hamilton McLaren 01:34.463 11 laps
04. Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 01:34.670 19 laps

05. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 01:35.119 18 laps
06. Felipe Massa Ferrari 01:35.145 18 laps

07. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 01:36.158 18 laps
08. Paul di Resta Force India 01:36.190 17 laps

09. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso 01:36.203 16 laps
10. Vitaly Petrov Renault no time 11 laps

11. Adrian Sutil Force India 01:35.874 14 laps
12. Sergio Perez Sauber 01:36.053 16 laps

13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 01:36.236 11 laps
14. Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 01:36.457 16 laps

15. Rubens Barrichello Williams 01:36.465 15 laps
16. Nick Heidfeld Renault 01:36.611 11 laps

17. Pastor Maldonado Williams 01:36.956 17 laps
18. Mark Webber Red Bull 01:36.468 8 laps

19. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 01:37.894 7 laps
20. Jarno Trulli Team Lotus 01:38.318 10 laps

21. Jerome d' Ambrosio Virgin Racing 01:39.119 8 laps
22. Timo Glock Virgin Racing 01:39.708 8 laps

23. Vitantonio Liuzzi HRT F1 Team 01:40.212 9 laps
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT F1 Team 01:40.445 9 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Valencia midday: Alonso holds the advantage

Just a mere 78 days after F1 bid farewell to the 2010 season, testing for the 2011 campaign got underway at Valencia

With blue skies overhead, heralding a perfect day for testing, new Force India test driver Nico Hulkenberg was the first out on track followed by McLaren's Gary Paffett.

Both drivers were using last year's cars as their team's new challengers won't be launched until later in the morning.

Fernando Alonso therefore had the honour of being the first to display his team's new car as he took the track in Ferrari's F150.

His run was short-lived as the Spaniard suffered an apparent technical problem within the first hour. Alonso, though, was able to get his car, which had the rear covered in flow-paint, back to the garage.

Soon back on track, the double World Champion climbed to the top of the timesheets with a 1:15.371.

Defending World Champion Sebastian Vettel and Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi both hit the track in their 2011 challengers while Vitaly Petrov debuted Renault's new R31 before Rubens Barrichello ventured out in his FW33.

Jaime Alguersuari put Toro Rosso's STR6 through its first test while Narain Karthikeyan made his Formula One return with Hispania Racing - but in last year's machine.

The morning saw most of the teams focusing on short runs, barely more than installation laps as the drivers got a feel for their new cars.

One man, though, who wasn't left with a good feeling was Nico Rosberg.

The Mercedes GP driver was behind the wheel of Merc's new W02 for its maiden voyage when he became the first to bring out the red flags as he stopped out on track.

With the action back underway, Vettel improved from a 1:18 to a 1:15.559, slotting in behind Alonso as last year's antagonists went at it again.

Alonso responded by dropping his time to a 1:14.718 and extending his advantage over the reigning World Champ to 0.841s. He also completed the most number of laps during the morning, amassing 44.

Hulkenberg was third fastest on his Force India debut while Kobayashi had a promising start in his Sauber C30, finishing with the fourth best time ahead of Paffett and Jerome D'Ambrosio, who was using a modified version of last year's Virgin Racing car.

Unofficial Times
01. Alonso Ferrari F150 1:14.718 44 laps
02. Vettel Red Bull Racing RB7 1:14.962 + 0.244 15 laps
03. Hulkenberg Force India VJM-03 1:15.615 + 0.897 29 laps
04. Kobayashi Sauber C30 1:15.831 + 1.113 38 laps
05. Paffett McLaren MP4-25 1:16.256 + 1.538 45 laps
06. D'Ambrosio Virgin Racing MVR-02 1:16.398 + 1.680 32 laps
07. Alguersuari Toro Rosso STR6 1:18.260 + 3.542 8 laps
08. Karthikeyan HRT F1 Team F111 1:18.650 + 3.932 22 laps
09. Barrichello Williams FW33 1:18.714 + 3.996 11 laps
10. Rosberg Mercedes GP W02 1:19.930 + 5.212 9 laps
11. Petrov Lotus Renault GP R31 1:20.633 + 5.915 6 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Prac Three: A lot of rain, very few laps

With the rain pouring down on Saturday morning and teams predicting qualifying will be cancelled, Practice Three saw a total of two drivers set lap times.

Although everyone ventured out for at least one lap, very few opted for a second as aquaplaning was the order of the morning with the rain continuing throughout the hour-long session.

Only two drivers, Jaime Alguersuari and Timo Glock, actually set lap times as practice was dominated by talk of whether or not qualifying will take place later today.

Report: With the forecast rain have arrived early on Saturday, soaking the Suzuka circuit, rivers in the pit lane did not bode well for the drivers at the start of Practice Three. But that did not stop them from venturing out with Jaime Alguersuari leading out the installation laps. But with the Spaniard almost aquaplaning off the track and Lucas di Grassi telling his team that the track was "undriveable", it could be a while before anyone attempts a lap time.

With the rain growing steadily heavier, Alguersuari was the first to try his hand at a lap time, however, he soon brought his Toro Rosso back into the pits, reporting major aquaplaning. Lewis Hamilton, who is still waiting for new parts for his MP4-25 following his crash in Friday's first practice, tried his luck before pitting while Alguersuari again hit the track - and promptly went off at the chicane. But back on track, the Spaniard finally crossed the line with a 1:58.016 - the one and only time set in the opening half of practice. He improved to a 1:55.902 while Timo Glock went second quickest.

And even though the rain was getting still heavier, there was movement in the pit lane as others suited up, ready to head out. The drivers have to get at least some running under their belts this morning as more of the same is expected in qualifying later today - should it take place, which is still up in the air.

Sebastien Buemi took his chances with 15 minutes left on the clock, put his Toro Rosso into a massive spin as he aquaplaned and opted to pit. This prompted Force India's Andy Stevenson to tell the BBC: "It is certainly F not safe to run. The drivers are more than capable but the tyres can't move so much water. We are not planning to send the drivers out in this."

With five minutes remaining, Hamilton attempted another go but returned to the pits as quickly - or in this case as slowly - as possible. Alguersuari went out again and was joined by Michael Schumacher but they soon pitted. And that was it for Practice Three.

Times
01 J Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1:55.902 9 laps
02 T Glock Virgin Racing 2:07.497 6 laps

Source: Planet F1

Solberg flies in Rallye de France Shakedown

Norway's Petter Solberg went fastest in a mixed-up shakedown, but the real action gets underway tomorrow morning at 0843 with the first of 20 stages

Former World Champion Petter Solberg has claimed fastest time in the shakedown for the all-new Rallye de France, over a short asphalt stage running around the service area. The Norwegian set a best time of 1m53.4s in his privately-run Citroën C4 WRC, under cloudy skies and damp conditions. Temperatures were cool at around 11 degrees centigrade.

The stage was not especially representative of the conditions that the competitors will face over the next three days, and the times were taken by hand as the specialised equipment had already left for the first stage.

This led to quite a few surprises on the time sheets - but not too much should be read into them. World Touring Car Championship star Yvan Muller was the third-quickest driver on the shakedown, driving Solberg’s old 2006-specification Citroën Xsara WRC.

“My new team mate is not bad at all, is he?” joked Solberg. “From our point of view everything was really good, but the rally is a different thing. We came very close to winning on the last round in Japan, so we’re going to be pushing hard.”

The second-quickest car on the shakedown was Hungarian privateer Frigyes Turan in a Peugeot 307 WRC, while the Ford Fiesta Super 2000 of Henning Solberg was fourth-fastest behind Muller.

Sebastien Loeb, gunning for his seventh consecutive World Championship on home territory in Alsace, could only manage sixth-fastest on the shakedown in his factory Citroen C4 WRC.

“I think everyone has a lot of pressure but there’s a bit more pressure than usual,” said Loeb. “But in the end I prefer just to concentrate on the rally. If the weather is like this that it could be very slippery, so I think it will be tricky.”

Former Grand Prix champion Kimi Räikkönen was ninth-fastest, setting a time just 0.7 seconds slower than Loeb. The rally gets underway at 1830 with a ceremonial start in Strasbourg.

Shakedown times:

1-Petter 1.53,4
2-Turan 1.57,7
3-Yvan 1.58,8
4-Loeb 2.02,2
5-Ogier 2.02,2
6-Sordo 2.02,7
7-Räikkönen 2.02,9
8-Latvala 2.03,6
9-Villagra 2.05,2
10-Hirvonen 2.06,4
11-Wilson 2.14,2

Source: WRC

Hirvonen fastest at Finland Shakedown

Finn Mikko Hirvonen got his quest for a second victory on his home rally off to a perfect start earlier today by setting the fastest time at the pre-event shakedown for Neste Oil Rally Finland.
The four hour test - a prelude to this weekend's rally - took place on a 4.46km gravel road in Muurame, 10km from the Jyvasykla Servce Park. The stage is a new choice for Shakedown and replaces Laajavuori, which will be used as part of this year’s competitive route. Conditions were dry, sunny and humid throughout the test, with the temperature peaking at a sweltering 34 degrees Celsius.

"The car feels great" said Mikko after completing his third run in a session-winning time of 2m 02.2s. "At our pre-event test we tried so many things, but I didn’t have enough time to get confident with the set-up we’re going to use. Now I feel ready.”

“The shakedown road is definitely better than the one we’ve used for the last four years. It’s really nice, fast and there are big jumps - so a really good stage. Can I win again? Well, let’s just say I think we have a chance to fight for it,” added the Ford Focus RS WRC driver.

Citroen C4 WRC driver Sebastien Loeb and Hirvonen’s team-mate Jari-Matt Latvala were joint closest to the wining time, both stopping the clock just one-tenth off.

Sebastien Ogier and Dani Sordo were fourth and fifth fastest respectively.

After his podium finish on the most recent rally in Bulgaria, Petter Solberg ended the session with the sixth-fastest time - eight-tenths off Hirvonen’s - and brimming with confidence. “I didn’t change anything and we were fastest on the early runs, I’m really happy, no problems at all”, he said. “We did a proper test, we did absolutely the right things and I feel I’m back fighting with the best in the world. I feel this more since Bulgaria. We will be on the top on every rally from here!”

Here are the Shakedown times of the leading WRC drivers:

1. HIRVONEN. Ford Focus RS WRC 09. 2:02.2

=2. LATVALA. Ford Focus RS WRC 09. 2:02.3

=2. LOEB. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:02.3

4. OGIER. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:02.4

5. SORDO. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:02.6

6. P. SOLBERG. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:03.0

7. WILSON. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:04.0

8. H. SOLBERG. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:04.6

=9. OSTBERG. Subaru Impreza WRC06. 2:05.2

=9. RAIKKONEN. Citroen C4 WRC. 2:05.2

10. Al QASSIMI. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:06.6

11. KANKKUNEN. Ford Focus RS WRC 08. 2:08.4

Source: WRC

Rally Bulgaria: SS3 - Junction overshoot costs Ogier second place

SS3 Batak Lake 2

Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier dropped from second to seventh place on the third stage of Rally Bulgaria after missing a junction and getting his C4 WRC stuck for one minute.

The Frenchman misheard a pace note and went straight on a junction 5.1km from the start of the repeated Batak Lake stage. His car collected panel damage to its right-hand front corner but seems unscathed mechanically.

Rally leader Sebastien Loeb extended his unbroken run of stage wins, completing the test 2.7sec ahead of his nearest rival and team-mate Dani Sordo. Peter Solberg was third quickest, with Ford drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari Matti Latvala fourth and fifth fastest respectively.

Source: WRC

Rally Bulgaria 2010: SS2 - Loeb quickest again, Ogier up to second

SS2 Belmeken Lake 2

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb was the fastest man through stage two in Bulgaria, extending his rally lead to 16 seconds after the opening 59 kilometres of the rally.

Loeb's Citroen stable-mate Sebastien Ogier moved ahead of Dani Sordo into second place in the overall standings, while the closest man to Loeb on the stage was Petter Solberg - tackling his first rally with new co-driver Chris Patterson.

Solberg held fourth place overall, with Kimi Raikkonen rounding off an all-Citroen top five. Ford Focus driver Mikko Hirvonen holds sixth, 41.6 seconds off the lead.

Source: WRC

Rally Bulgaria 2010: SS1 - Loeb leads after the opening stage in Bulgaria

SS1 Batak Lake 1

Defending World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb moved into an early lead of Rally Bulgaria this morning after setting the fastest time on the opening stage.

The Citroen C4 WRC driver declared himself happy with his car and his driving after completing the 31.77km Batak Lake SS1 - the longest stage of the rally - in a time of 17m 33.8s. Loeb's team-mate Dani Sordo was second fastest, in a time 8.6sec slower, while Sebastien Ogier was third fastest, 9.1sec off Loeb's pace.

Petter Solberg and Kimi Raikkonen were fourth and fifth fastest - completing an all Citroen C4 top five.

Ford team leader Mikko Hirvonen holds sixth, 18 seconds off Loeb's lead. "I can't be too proud of that, hopefully we can improve on the next one," said Hirvonen.

Weather conditions were overcast but dry with just a few damp patches remaining after light overnight rain. The majority of crews elected to run Pirelli's hard compound tyres.

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS18 Estadio Algarve 2

Ogier does it!

Frenchman Sebastien Ogier sealed victory on Rally de Portugal at the Algarve Stadium super special, collecting his maiden rally win at World Championship level and underlining his position as one of the sport's hottest properties.

The 26-year-old Citroen Junior Team driver held his own in a thrilling final day scrap with six-time World Champion - and fellow C4 WRC driver - Sebastien Loeb, which concluded on the all-tarmac head-to-head stage.

Loeb, the 2010 championship leader, finished the rally second, 7.9 seconds behind Ogier, while his Citroen Total team-mate Dani Sordo was third, 1min 10sec further back, to complete an all-Citroen podium.

After his shock last stage retirement from Rally New Zealand earlier this month, Petter Solberg had another eleventh hour disaster in Portugal. The Norwegian was fourth in his privately entered C4 WRC but lost the position after driving into a barrier on the Super Special.

Ford Focus RS WRC driver Hirvonen moved ahead into fourth, 14.4sec adrift of Sordo, with Solberg rounding off the top five 3.7sec further back.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS17 Loule 2

Ogier leads with just the Super Special to go...

Having fought off Sebastien Loeb's challenge through the final gravel stage of Rally de Portugal, just 2km of tarmac stands between Sebastien Ogier and his maiden WRC victory.

Loeb was fastest through SS17 but was only 1.8sec quicker than his Junior team rival, giving Ogier a 7.7sec advantage for the head-to-head Algarve Super Special.

Dani Sordo holds the upper hand in the fight for the final podium place but Petter Solberg (+4.6sec) and Mikko Hirvonen (+8.4sec) are right behind and ready to pounce should he make a mistake.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS16 Felizes 2

Flat out Sebastiens neck and neck

Rally Portugal leader Sebastien Ogier overcame a near-stall on the start line of SS16 to defend his position from Sebastien Loeb once again. And after claiming he had more speed in reserve on the morning pass, the Citroen Junior team driver admitted he was pushing himself and his tyres to the limit on the repeat.

The swept Felizes stage was more abrasive than it had been earlier and this, combined with a higher ambient temperature, made tyre wear a crucial consideration. Loeb was the stage winner, finishing six-tenths ahead of Ogier, but felt he had worn his Pirellis more than his rival.

Asked about his chances of catching Ogier, Loeb said: "I'm not giving up, but it's getting more and more difficult." Heading to the final gravel stage of the rally, Ogier's lead stands at 9.5sec.

Dani Sordo held on to third place and extended his advantage over Petter Solberg a little to 5.4sec. Mikko Hirvonen, meanwhile, edged closer to Petter and will start SS17 trailing by just two seconds.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS15 Loule 1

Ogier clings on at Sunday's midpoint

Sebastien Ogier rounded off Sunday morning's loop of stages with his Rally de Portugal lead slimmed but intact. With only two more gravel stages and the Super special to go, Ogier has a 10.1sec over the hard charging Sebastien Loeb.

Loeb was the fastest driver through SS15, completing the stage 4.8sec quicker than Ogier and admitting to pushing to the maximum. Ogier, however, claimed he still had something in reserve.

Petter Solberg lost more time because of his car's damaged steering rack and slipped behind Dani Sordo into fourth place. Mikko Hirvonen, the leading Ford driver, rounded off the morning loop in fifth, only 6.5sec behind Petter.

Stobart Ford team driver Henning Solberg retired 16km into the stage because of a broken fan belt. The Norwegian had been sixth.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS14 Felizes 1

Sebastien vs Sebastien: it's game on!

Sebastien Loeb took more than six seconds from Sebastien Ogier's lead of Rally de Portugal on Sunday's opener as the defending world champion began a final push for victory.

Loeb, the winner of the rally in 2007 and 2009, reduced the gap on his Citroen stable-mate from 21.1sec to 14.9sec over the 21 kilometre Felizes test.

Behind the lead pair, the battle for third hotted up too as Petter Solberg dropped time with steering rack problem. Fourth placed Dani Sordo began the stage 13.5sec behind the Norwegian but was only 2.2sec adrift at the finish.

Mikko Hirvonen also closed in on the final podium position. Despite being hampered by dust in the cockpit of his Ford Focus, the Finn slimmed the gap to Sordo ahead from 8.2sec to 5.7sec.

Stage Times:



Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS13 S. Bras de Alportel 2

Ogier rounds off day two with 21 second lead

Sebastien Ogier wrapped up a successful Saturday in Portugal by setting the second fastest time in the repeated S. Bras de Alpotel section - enough to give him a 21.1sec advantage ahead of Sunday's final day of the rally.

Sebastien Loeb was the stage winner on SS13, completing the 16.72km test two seconds quicker than Ogier.

Petter Solberg, also driving a Citroen C4 WRC, was fourth fastest to secure third in Saturday's overnight standings, 31.1sec behind Loeb.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS12 Vascao 2

Sordo drops to fourth

Dani Sordo slipped from second to fourth place on SS12 after adopting a cautious approach to save his tyres for the final test of the day.

Sordo's tyres were badly worn at the end of the previous test, and faced with more abrasive conditions on the swept Vascao stage the Spaniard was anxious to keep some rubber for the 16km S Bras de Alpotel which follows.

He completed the test 29sec slower than stage winner Sebastien Loeb and slipped 4.8seconds behind third placed Petter Solberg.

Sebastien Ogier was second fastest to hold a rally lead of 23.1sec.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS11 Almodovar 2

Another stage win for Ogier

With the worst of the loose gravel swept from Almodovar on the earlier pass (SS8) first on the road Sebastien Ogier faced less of a disadvantage on the repeat and was comfortably fastest on SS11, extending his rally lead to 28 seconds.

With the temperature nudging 24 degrees Celsius, tyre preservation was key through the 26km stage - the longest of the rally.

Petter Solberg was Ogier's closest challenger, recording a time 2.5sec slower, while Dani Sordo was third quickest, 2.1sec off the Norwegian's pace, to move up into second overall.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS10 S. Bras de Alportel 1

Ogier stays out front at Saturday midpoint

Rally de Portugal leader Sebastien Ogier emerged from Saturday morning's final stage with his advantage standing at 22.9sec - four seconds less than it was at the start of the day.

Times were tight through the 16km S. Bras de Alpotel stage, with only 5.2 seconds separating the five fastest drivers.

Petter Solberg was the stage winner; the Norwegian stopping the clock three-tenths quicker than his closest rival, Dani Sordo.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC

Rally de Portugal 2010: SS9 Vascao 1

Loeb up to second

Another stage win from Sebastien Loeb on SS9 moved the Frenchman ahead of his Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo into second overall.

Loeb also took another chunk out of Sebastien Ogier's rally lead, reducing it from 36sec to 25sec.
After a strong performance through SS8, Jari-Matti Latvala crashed close to the start of SS9. The Finn went off the road after a crest and clipped a tree with the rear of his Ford Focus RS WRC. He has retired from Saturday's competition.

Stage Times:

Source: WRC