News
Three stages before finish leads Rossetti
Istanbul Rally leader Luca Rossetti picked up a puncture on SS12 - but it only affected him for the last two kilometres of the stage. Another fastest time for Nicolas Vouilloz allowed him to close to within 30 seconds of Rossetti, pictured at service. The cars will now leave the service park for the final three stages of the rally.
"I'm feeling quite calm, but it was a nasty moment when we had the puncture," said Rossetti. "Now we just have to drive calmly through the last three stages - but I'm sure Nicolas Vouilloz, behind us, has got some other ideas about that."
Vouilloz admitted that he needed some bad luck for Rossetti in order to win, but with the rain now falling hard around Istanbul, anything can happen. "I need to think of the championship as well," said Vouilloz. "So I can't take too many risks over the last few stages."
Dani Solá - Óscar Sanchez (Fiat Grande Punto S2000)One man who will definitely be pushing flat-out is Abarth driver Anton Alen. The Finn is just 7.2 seconds off a podium place. As his Grande Punto had its gearbox changed at service, Alen commented:
"I think we have to attack. OK, I've not had the feeling with the car that I would have liked on this rally. But it would be nice to come away with a podium."
Unlucky is after three stages of second day Dani Solá. He has lost about minute after puncture on SS 10, other seconds he has lost in next stages due to bad tyre choice.