Solberg stretches clear in Estonia as Tänak and Neuville battle for second

The 23-year-old Swede began the rally’s penultimate leg 12.4sec clear of home hero Ott Tänak but maintained his formidable form from Friday on his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 debut to reach the midday service halt in Tartu with a 22.8sec buffer.

“A fantastic morning loop,” Solberg summed up. “Really, really strong. It’s the first time I’m driving with used tyres on this car, so the rears were not really good [for the final stage], and I was just trying to learn a little bit. Solid morning.”

While Solberg powered ahead, Hyundai Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville were locked in a tight battle for the runner-up spot. Tänak, who started the day second, lost time on SS9 when he stalled after brushing a hay bale and stalling at a chicane – handing the place to Neuville.

The pair then swapped positions on every stage, with Tänak’s fastest time on the repeated Kanepi test edging him back ahead by 0.4sec. Neuville, meanwhile, had his own issues to contend with after co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe’s side window popped out, allowing dust to pour into the cockpit.

“I want to get to the finish and enjoy myself,” said the Belgian. “We just need some points.”

Kalle Rovanperä remained fourth overall in his Toyota, unable to match the pace of the leading trio but comfortably ahead of a tightening battle behind. Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai) overtook Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) to move into fifth, while Elfyn Evans – the championship leader – remained seventh despite feeling that overnight set-up adjustments had improved the feeling in his Toyota.