|
After SS16: A good day. . .
Spain · Citroen · Sébastien Loeb · 25/10/2003 15:17:28
It’s been a fascinating day on Rally Catalunya as Sebastien Loeb, Markko Martin and Gilles Panizzi fenced for the top places on the stages.
Leader Seb Loeb was there or thereabouts all day, seemingly just maintaining a satisfactory lead. His fastest time on the last stage suggests there’s a little bit left in the tank, but only a concerted assault from Markko Martin will force him to show just how much.
“It’s been a good day,” admitted Loeb. “There were no big problems, but we have to push, because Markko and Gilles [Panizzi] are pushing a lot.”
Martin has coped better today, with the neck pain he’s suffering after his heavy Corsica crash - though he’s beginning to sound a bit testy when answering the constant enquiries after his health. "Let's talk about the car," he bristled. . .
Markko says he’s none too convinced that he can hunt Loeb down tomorrow, but he certainly hasn’t ruled out a win. “I think Sebastien is a quick enough driver to keep the advantage he has,” said Martin. “I just have to make sure I’m there if he slips.”
Martin has won a battle with Panizzi over second place today. Carlos Sainz held it overnight but a bad set-up change clipped King Carlos’ wings this morning and almost immediately he was dumped down to fourth by Martin and Panizzi and there he has stayed.
Panizzi then looked to be the man to watch sweeping almost all before him on the morning stages and even briefly taking second place. Martin though battled back strongly in the later stages and goes into the final day with both that sniff of victory (Loeb is 20.8sec ahead) and the need to watch his back (Panizzi is 15.9sec behind).
Panizzi has been enjoying his day. “I’m very happy to come back again into the battle with the best drivers,” he said. The Peugeot star isn’t saying whether he thinks he can get ahead of Martin again, but he’ll certainly give it a shot. “I will try,” he said. I will do the maximum tomorrow.”
There’s another good battle in prospect for fourth place. Francois Duval has been closing in on Sainz all day. Ford’s Belgian is now just 3.6sec behind and would be 6.4sec in front but for a 10-second penalty for a late exit from service.
Richard Burns is in a lonely sixth place with solid cushions ahead and behind, but there’s another battle on for seventh. Marcus Gronholm wants it and Colin McRae has it. McRae was quicker yesterday, Gronholm today.
And tomorrow it’s probably going to rain… We’ll have to wait and see what happens to form if it’s wet, but the obvious rain lover – Subaru’s Petter Solberg – is almost certainly too far back to get into the lead battle. But he’s in 10th place now, with seventh-placed McRae just 27.6sec ahead and you wouldn’t bet against Petter making up that sort of time in the right conditions… At this stage of the game, every point is vital.
© Copyright wrc.com
Eiköhän Sainz pidä nykyisen sijoituksensa, kunhan auton säätämiset eivät mene väärään suuntaan.
| 
Tommilla enää puoli minuuttia eroa Bosseen...samalla vauhdilla ohitta Bossenkin.
