Sebastien Ogier is cruising towards victory in Rally Germany, holding a 1m01.3s lead over his Citroen teammate Sebastien Loeb with three stages to go.
After eight-time rally winner Loeb's puncture on yesterday's final stage, Ogier knew he only had to drive consistently through today's concluding leg to claim his fourth win of the year. Though Loeb was quickest on the second of the two stages that comprised today's first loop, Ogier's advantage remains extremely comfortable.
Dani Sordo still has a 25.9-second cushion over Ford's Mikko Hirvonen as the Spaniard bids to give the new Mini its first podium in the World Rally Championship, despite Hirvonen winning today's opening stage.
But Sordo's team-mate Kris Meeke is back behind Citroen privateer Petter Solberg in their rally-long battle for fifth place. Meeke lost several seconds with a mistake on the Moselwein stage, although he is still within 5.2sec of Solberg.
Leading positions after SS16:
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Sebastien Ogier Citroen 3h06m33.5s
2. Sebastien Loeb Citroen + 1m01.3s
3. Dani Sordo Mini + 2m03.9s
4. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 2m29.8s
5. Petter Solberg Solberg Citroen + 3m34.4s
6. Kris Meeke Mini + 3m39.6s
7. Kimi Raikkonen Ice 1 Citroen + 6m07.0s
8. Henning Solberg Stobart Ford + 6m51.0s
9. Armindo Araujo Italia Mini + 8m32.3s
10. Peter van Merksteijn Van Merksteijn Citroen + 9m11.7s