Reigning World Champion Sebastien Ogier moved to the front of the pack at Rally Mexico after problems for erstwhile leaders Dani Sordo and Sebastien Loeb.
Ogier started the second day in a low-key fifth, but problems for others, and his own pace, propelled him into the lead with only a few stages left to run.
Returning nine-time champion Loeb had grasped the lead from Hyundai’s Sordo, as Ogier moved level with Kris Meeke in third, after Ott Tanak retired from podium contention due to a turbo issue.
However, Loeb’s lead lasted only a handful of hours as Loeb suffered a puncture through SS14, and he lost over two minutes while replacing the wounded tyre.
That had been set to hand the advantage back to Sordo, but he too copped tyre damage, and dropped over 30 seconds, allowing fastest-through-the-stage Ogier to grab the lead.
Ogier’s lead now stands at 35 seconds, facilitated by nearest rival Meeke spinning his Citroen on SS15; Sordo remains within reach of Meeke, the gap between the pair just shy of 11 seconds.
Andreas Mikkelsen holds a low-key fourth, with Loeb now down to fifth after his tyre woe.
Thierry Neuville has maintained sixth place, and there is then a gap of over 10 minutes back to next WRC competitor Jari-Matti Latvala, seventh overall, amid the high rate of attrition.
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