Sawt Falasteen - Ogier pulls clear in Rally Italia

Eight-time world champion Ogier is only competing in a selection of rallies for Toyota in 2024.

But given the Frenchman's form no-one could blame him if he were tempted to have a full-blown tilt at a ninth title.

The 40-year-old held a slender 4.5sec lead overnight but by the end of play on Saturday in Sardinia, Ogier was 17.1sec clear of Tanak, the 2019 world champion from Estonia driving a Hyundai.

Quickest times in four of the middle day's eight stages left Tanak trailing.

"It has been a positive day, and an even more positive afternoon," said Ogier, a winner in Croatia and Portugal.

"This morning's stages were very rough, but I enjoyed the afternoon so much more and it was a pleasure to drive the car."

While Ogier was enjoying his time on the Mediterranean island, Neuville was under a black cloud.

The Belgian, who was leading the world championship before this sixth round of the season, misjudged a braking point on stage eight with his Hyundai sliding off, his rally over.

Rally Italia standings on Saturday

1. Sebastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (FRA/Toyota) 2hr 39min 43.2sec, 2. Ott Tänak/Martin Jarveoja (EST/Hyundai) at 17.1, 3. Daniel Sordo/Candido Carrera (ESP/Hyundai) 2:12.8, 4. Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (GBR/Toyota) 2:43.3, 5. Gregoire Munster/Louis Louka (LUX-BEL/M-Sport Ford) 5:28.8, 6. Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (FRA/M-Sport Ford) 16:6.3

S.AbuJamous--SF-PST