The final day of Rally Croatia, the third round of the 2021 FIA World Rally Championships produced a truly thrilling and an extremely close final battle. This brand new Asphalt rally was the first of the four full tarmac rounds this year and has certainly delivered a challenge for the Worlds best drivers.
Before the final days’ action had even begun out on the stages there was drama for the overnight rally leader, Sébastien Ogier. The seven-time World Champion was involved in a road traffic collision on the road section prior to the first stage of the day.
With another 8 stages over 121kms of competitive action, the second day of Rally Croatia was the longest leg of the event. Overnight rally leader Thierry Neuville had a far from ideal start to the mornings’ loop. Starting the day with a 7.7-second lead over Sébastien Ogier, the tyre strategy between teams would play a big part right from the off on that opening stage.
Making its debut into the FIA World Rally Championship this year and to the top level of rallying is newcomer Rally Croatia (22nd – 25th April). First held back in 1974 as a national rally and then incorporated into the European championship in 1986; from then on the Croatians have enjoyed rallying ever since.