Enthralling duels along the Moselle and in the Saarland: Tänak and Neuville battling for the lead at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland

• Ott Tänak just ahead of Thierry Neuville after seven of 19 stages
• World champion Sébastien Ogier loses ground on the vineyard stages

Munich/Nohfelden. The second day of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland was characterised by a thrilling duel: Ott Tänak (EST) in the Toyota Yaris WRC against Thierry Neuville (BEL) in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. The two title contenders in the FIA World Rally Championship were involved in some top-quality battles during the six special stages along the Moselle and in the Saarland. This did not prevent the duo from extending their lead over the other drivers. As the rally day drew to a close, last year's winner Tänak was 2.8 seconds ahead of Neuville. However, Sébastien Ogier (FRA) in the Citroën C3 WRC did lose some ground. The six-time world champion is in third place, 22.1 seconds behind – closely followed by Toyota drivers Kris Meeke (GBR) and Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN).

Neuville enjoyed the best start to the day: A perfect performance on the Stein und Wein special stage saw the Belgian driver claim the best time on the stage and also move briefly into the overall lead at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Tänak did not hesitate to mount a counter-attack: On the second vineyard stage (SS Mittelmosel 1), the Toyota driver left everyone in his wake as he returned to the top of the standings. On the final morning stage, the Wadern-Weiskirchen loop, Tänak controlled proceedings and recorded another best time.

Then it was again Neuville’s turn to record a best time (SS Stein und Wein 2) as the afternoon unfolded. However, Tänak once again claimed victory in the narrow vineyard lanes of the Mittelmosel 2 special stage. On the final Wadern-Weiskirchen special stage, Tänak – again with a wafer-thin lead over Neuville – was able to claim the last best time. However, Ogier was enduring a difficult rally day: A driving error on the second stage of the day cost threw the Frenchman off course, which cost him several seconds. The world champion battled against understeer in his Citroën C3 WRC throughout the day and struggled to keep Tänak and Neuville within range.

In fourth place, Dani Sordo (ESP) also had some bad luck to contend with: After performing strongly during the day, the Hyundai driver suffered gearbox damage on the final stage and had to nurse his car across the line in first gear. Teemu Suninen (FIN) was forced to retire his Ford Fiesta WRC from the rally due to a technical problem on the second stage of the day.

Fabian Kreim was the best-placed German driver on the second rally day. The 26-year-old Odenwald native delivered a sparkling performance on Thursday's opening stage, recording the best time in the WRC 2. Kreim's performance with the brand-new Škoda Fabia R5 evo was equally faultless on Friday’s stages and he is now in third place in the competitive WRC 2 category. Krem’s brand team-mate Marijan Griebel is also within touching distance of the podium positions: The 30-year-old local hero is in fourth place in the WRC 2.

Tickets still available on-site
There are several last-minute pass options for rally fans on site: For as little as EUR20, you can get the Special Stage pass, entitling you to visit one Special Stage. The price is the same for any Special Stage, except for the Arena Panzerplatte on the Baumholder military range, which offers a much more extensive programme than other Special Stages. A pass for the Arena Panzerplatte costs EUR25 on site. Admission to the Bostalsee Service Park is free every day of the event. All on-site ticket outlets can be found at www.adac.de/rallye-deutschland (go to the tabs Tickets at the event).

ADAC Rallye Deutschland information:
The ADAC Rallye Deutschland has a unique worldwide reputation. Its mix of hairpin stages in the vineyards, tough tracks on the Baumholder tank range and fast asphalt roads presents extreme challenges for both the teams and the drivers. Excellent driving skills and versatility are of the essence here. Diversity, high-class action and closeness to the fans are the ingredients that make the ADAC Rallye Deutschland such an attractive package for spectators as well. Year after year, this major event draws enthusiastic crowds from all over Europe, giving it a special, international atmosphere.