Oliver Solberg showcased his speed once again at Rally Sardinia. On SS4, the Toyota driver set the fastest time, beating teammate Elfyn Evans by 16.5 seconds and Sami Pajari by nearly eight seconds. The result also lifted Solberg past Pajari into third place in the overall standings. The three Toyota drivers are now embroiled in a fierce battle for the world title.
"After the puncture this morning, I just tried to drive normally and it felt like a really clean run. But the road is improving all the time, so I think those behind will be even faster," said Solberg. His words reflect an awareness that his advantage could be threatened by drivers behind enjoying better road conditions.
Meanwhile, Pajari finished ahead of Evans but remained concerned about his pace. "It's quite difficult. At times there is no grip at all. I'm a little concerned about whether this will be enough. But I was faster than Elfyn. I can't do any more than this," said Pajari. That concern is understandable given the tight competition at the front.
Evans, who finished sixth in the rally, still holds the championship in his hands. However, he was puzzled by his poor stage time. "That was a bit of a surprise. It didn't feel like such a bad run, but it is really slippery," said Evans. He also lost one position when teammate Sebastien Ogier moved ahead of him on the fourth stage.
Elsewhere, Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux continues to lead the rally ahead of teammate Thierry Neuville. Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta suffered a major setback when he had to change a tyre at the start of the stage, dashing his hopes for a strong result. M-Sport Ford also had a rough time: Jon Armstrong and Martins Sesks suffered punctures and lost more than two minutes.
With three stages remaining on Friday and the rally concluding on Sunday, the competition is still wide open. Improving road conditions could be a deciding factor, especially for those starting further back. Solberg, Pajari, and Evans will continue to fight not only for stage wins but also for crucial championship positions.
Standings after SS4/17:
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