2010 ADAC Rally Deutschland: Day 2

Sebastien Loeb

Loeb’s winning streak on the German asphalt looks set to continue. Atleast, this is what can be inferred from a 35.7sec lead over the field after day 2 of Rally Deutschland. Loeb was fastest on three out of eight stages on Saturday. Although, on the day’s second test Sordo reduced Loeb’s advantage. Loeb fought back with a measured drive through the 48km Panzerplatte stage and maintained his advantage throughout the afternoon’s remaining four stages.

Dani Sordo

With a comfortable lead over the pack, a confident Loeb, even experimented with his tyre choice by running the soft compound Pirelli PZero tyre on the first three stages of Saturday afternoon, even though the rubber is more commonly used in cool and damp conditions.

“We just wanted to see how the tyre was and really it was just the same, very good in fact,” said Loeb. “My lead is more than it was in the morning and for that reason I am happy tonight but I know there is still a long way to go and anything can happen.”

Jari-Matti Latvala

Meanwhile, Sordo posted best times on the days three stages and was quite satisfied with his efforts but was bit frustrated that he was not allowed to fight with Sebastien for victory.

“I drove to the same splits as Sebastien and it’s frustrating I cannot do more but I have to finish the rally in a good position,” said Sordo.

Sebastien Ogier

Jari-Matti Latvala started the day in third overall in his factory Focus but dropped to fourth behind Sebastien Ogier when he spun on the first Panzerplatte stage.

“When there is distance there is hope and I have not given up but it’s going to be very difficult to catch Ogier. He is very fast and I don’t think I can go any faster.”

Kimi Raikkonen

Mikko Hirvonen faces the prospect of restarting on Sunday under SupeRally regulations after his Focus suffered transmission failure a handful of kilometres from the end of stage 13. Hirvonen’s misfortune promoted Francois Duval to fifth. Duval and co-driver Denis Giraudet suffered bruising and had been taken to hospital for checks after he rolled seven kilometres from the end of stage 14.

Peter Solberg

Petter Solberg’s C4 also required extra maintenance at the remote service on Saturday afternoon. The Norwegian privateer had cut a right-hander too tightly on stage 12, bending his car’s steering in the process and leading to a sluggish time through the day’s penultimate stage. Kimi Raikkonen is sixth overnight despite losing time with an overshoot on stage nine and a broken right-rear anti-roll bar link.

Image courtesy: Motorsport.com