Ott Tanak Wins Rally Of Germany, Neuville Holds Title Lead
Sumaira FH Published August 20, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Trier, Germany, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Aug, 2018 ) :Estonian driver Ott Tanak won the Rally of Germany on Sunday as championship leader Thierry Neuville and closest challenger Sebastien Ogier remained locked in the race for the title.
Neuville, who started the rally with a 21-point lead, finished second in his Hyundai to pick up 19 points while reigning world champion Ogier was fourth in his Ford Fiesta and collected 17 points, including five as a bonus for winning the final Power Stage.
"It was a challenging weekend so to finish second shows we did our job," said Belgian Neuville, now 23 points clear.
"I managed to slightly increase my lead in the drivers' championship, which was the aim. The battle for the title is going to be tight until the very end." It was Tanak's third victory of the season after the rallies of Argentina and Finland.
The 30-year-old Estonian, in third overall 36 points behind, started strongly, taking the lead on the first stage on Thursday.
Ogier briefly grabbed first after the second stage on Friday morning but Tanak was imperious the rest of the way and maintained a lead of between 12 and 14 seconds ahead of his nearest challengers.
Frenchman Ogier almost lost everything on Saturday when he suffered a puncture on the rough concrete of the famous Panzerplatte tank range at the Baumholder military camp. He fell to ninth while the more cautious Neuville was in fourth.
But on a tumultuous final morning the two men who started Sunday battling for second -- Dani Sordo (Hyundai) and Jari-Matti Latvala (Toyota) -- both dropped out. The Spaniard crashed off the road and the Finn suffered a transmission failure and Neuville and Ogier took advantage.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
3 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
3 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
3 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
3 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
5 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
5 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
5 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
5 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
6 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
6 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
6 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
6 hours ago