Volkswagen’s Jari-Matti Latvala has taken the Rally Germany lead as teammate Sebastien Ogier crashed out. Ogier was 5.5 seconds ahead of Latvala going into Friday’s sixth and final stage, but he crashed his Polo WRC 7.5 kilometers into SS6.
Latvala, who has been Ogier’s biggest rival, now leads the rally and is more than 40 seconds clear of closest pursuer second-placed man Kris Meeke (Citroen) who holds an 8 seconds advantage over Hyundai’s Dani Sordo.
Andreas Mikkelsen (Volkswagen) is fourth overall after seven special stages, just 0.2 seconds ahead of Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.
Saturday’s second special stage (SS8) has been cancelled after Sebastien Ogier collided with an armco barrier, and the damage he caused was deemed unsafe for others to continue.
