Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville has taken the lead of Rally Argentina after Friday's dramatic final stage, 12 seconds ahead of second-placed Sebastien Ogier.
Both Neuville and championship leader Ogier had quietly consistent days, going so far as to put in matching times for the morning’s superspecial stage.
Ott Tanak had been rally leader going into SS8 but a drive shaft issue hampered his running, causing his Yaris to spin and dropping him down to third.
Tanak had put in a blistering time on the previous stage despite being down on power after getting the engine wet going through a water splash and stole the lead from Kris Meeke who had been topping the time sheets for much of the day.
The Northern Irishman struggled for traction in the afternoon stages and had no third gear for the final stage so sits fourth going into Saturday.
Andreas Mikkelsen is in fifth after a relatively clean day, ahead of the lead M-Sport driver of Elfyn Evans.
Dani Sordo sits in eighth despite becoming stuck in a ditch on Friday’s final stage with Teemu Suninen ninth.
The Finn repeatedly suffered engine problems after going through the water splashes.
Toyota’s Jari-Matti Latvala is provisionally in tenth, but was disadvantaged in the final stage compared to his competitors when he was shown a rogue red flag while approaching the Citroen of Esapekka Lappi which was stopped by the side of the road.
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