Volkswagens Jari Matti Latvala leads Neuville overnight at the end of Day 2 in Germany by 7.3 seconds, with Dani Sordo third in his DS3 WRC, 26.3 seconds off the lead, 21.3 up on his Citroën teammate Mikko Hirvonen.

Ogier hit trouble early on Stage 3, missing a braking point, hitting what looked like a kerbstone on the way off and damaging his suspension. Ratchet straps were used for an emregency repair, but the bid failed on the next stage, Ogier out but resuming tomorrow.

So it was down to Latvala and Neuville. They’d begun the day 7 seconds apart: Neuville won four stages in a row, but Latvala grew in confidence, while Neuville’s tyres went off. Latvala won the final 2 stages of the day – and his lead overnight is 7.3 seconds.

Dani Sordo was always there or thereabouts in third overall: tonight he’s 26.3 seconds off the lead, but 21.3 seconds up on his teammate Mikko Hirvonen.

Østberg, Prokop, Al-Attiyah, Kubica, Evans and Wiegand make up the Top 10.

A decision on whether Michal Kosciuszko will resume tomorrow will be taken later – he went to hospital for checks after heavy compression caused back pain…