Hyundai's Dani Sordo builds impressive lead at the Rally of Spain

14 October 2016 05:08

Hyundai driver Dani Sordo took the lead of the Rally of Spain after producing two fastest times over Friday's afternoon session.

World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Ogier, who needs just 16 more points to secure his fourth consecutive title, was left trailing the Spaniard by 17 seconds following two identical loops of three special stages around mainly gravel tests.

Sordo had been fourth following the morning runs, with Ogier just over four seconds ahead at the midway point after three rain-soaked speed tests.

However, the Spaniard later made the most of the drier conditions with the quickest time on both special stage five and six, to give himself an advantage to defend on Saturday, when the racing returns to asphalt.

"I have to say thanks to the team, they have done a great job on the car," Sordo said on the World Rally Championship website.

"Tomorrow we need to continue, to see what we can do. Okay, there are two long days still to go, but today - it was unbelievable."

Andreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen team-mate of Ogier, moved up to third in Friday's final classification, some 35.1 seconds off the pace.

Belgian racer Thierry Neuville ended the day 46.3secs adrift after his Hyundai Next Gen i20 lost the front bumper and a bent wheel following a spin on special stage five.

Jari-Matti Latvala, meanwhile, was forced to retire following suspension damage to his Polo R WRC.

Source: PA