The Hyundai driver, contesting a primary WRC occasion of a partial marketing campaign, netted a fourth stage win of the snow rally to briefly prolong his result in 5.7s earlier than Tanak fought again on the ultimate stage of the loop.
Tanak struggled for tempo within the day’s first two levels however a push in Stage 11 lower Breen’s benefit again to three.0s.
Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi was unable to shut on Breen and Tanak, because the Finn accomplished the loop 17.3s behind, and solely 10.2s forward of world champion Kalle Rovanpera, who climbed to fourth.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville picked up a primary stage win of the occasion to go to noon service in fifth. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans struggled for tempo, dropping from fourth to sixth general, however comfortably forward of M-Sport’s Pierre-Louis Loubet, who struggled with hybrid points.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta rejoined the rally following his retirement as a result of injury incurred in a roll on Friday.
Rally chief Breen began the morning having escaped a time penalty in a single day after FIA stewards discovered the Irishman had breached laws on Thursday night time by driving 30 metres in a chosen hybrid zone in EV mode utilizing his i20 N’s inner combustion engine.
Fortunately Breen was solely handed a reprimand after explaining that he left parc ferme utilizing EV energy for a 300 metres stretch as a result of a problem along with his engine. The group managed to repair the engine downside however didn’t wish to shut off the facility within the HEV zone till they had been assured it will fireplace up once more.
Penalty scare averted, Breen picked up the place he left off on Friday, as he prolonged his general lead on the morning’s first stage regardless of posting the third quickest time. The trouble was faster than rivals Tanak and Lappi because the benefit grew to 4.6s from Tanak.
“The [mad hatter’s] tea celebration is alive,” mentioned Breen. “Truthful play to the Hyundai engine boys, they’ve finished a cracking job.”
Breen’s team-mate Neuville posted the quickest time regardless of discovering it tough to belief the braking efficiency of his i20 N on the check that featured collection of lengthy straights into corners.
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, M-Sport Ford World Rally Crew Ford Puma Rally1
Picture by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
Toyota’s Rovanpera was the Belgian’s nearest rival 1.1s shy of the Belgian, however the world champion wasn’t pleased with the suspension set-up change on his GR Yaris made in a single day.
Within the battle for fourth general, Evans started to return underneath growing strain from Rovanpera. The Welshman once more struggled for confidence in his GR Yaris and dropped 1.8s seconds to his team-mate.
Breen’s robust begin to the loop continued by successful Stage 10, the longest of the rally at 28.25km. The Hyundai driver managed to pip Rovanpera by 0.8s, who was extremely essential of the arrange course chosen, whereas Neuville was 0.2s slower as a second coated the highest three on the check.
“The automobile is actually s*** to drive, I lose a lot time in all places,” mentioned Rovanpera.
“I don’t know if we’ve made mistake with the arrange or it doesn’t work on this situations however we have to discover one thing. I’m understeering in all places. I may very well be a lot sooner however now I’m combating lots.”
Regardless of the struggles Rovanpera was in a position to leapfrog Evans to fourth general because the latter additionally continued to battle for outright tempo.
Breen’s speedy rivals Tanak and Lappi additionally misplaced floor within the battle for the victory. Tanak was 1.1s slower whereas Lappi misplaced 6.7s on the stage, that moved the Finn more and more nearer to Rovanpera within the battle for the ultimate podium spot.
Arrange adjustments made on the street part earlier than Stage 11 helped Rovanpera to a fourth stage win of the occasion within the closing check of the morning.
Tanak additionally felt extra at dwelling on the extra twisty roads to set a time a second slower than the champion, however 3.1s sooner than Breen to shut in on the rally lead.
Neuville set an an identical time to his former Hyundai team-mate Tanak, which elevated him forward of the struggling Evans.
Oliver Solberg opened up a commanding 33.0s lead in WRC2 after predominant rival Sami Pajari suffered a spin in Stage 10 and dropped down the order.
A repeat of the morning levels will observe this afternoon earlier than crews deal with a check in host metropolis Umea to finish the day.