Stage 17: Haguenau 1 (5,74 km) Weather: it’s raining. Road conditions: roads are soaking wet. 10. SORDO/DEL BARRIO: « It’s fun when it’s dry on that stage. It’s way less fun when it’s soaking wet because we don’t have grip. I am still in a fighting spirit as everything remains possible. It’s so easy to make a mistake especially as the road will be even dirtier for the second loop after the regroup.” 7. LATVALA/ANTTILA: « Up to now, it has been the most difficult day of the rally. The first two stages were difficult but this one is really tricky as there is no grip. I wonder how we will manage in the first stage of the second loop as the conditions might be mostly difficult. If I don’t feel like pushing I will work on my position on the podium.” 8. OGIER/INGRASSIA: « I woke up this morning knowing I would have to psuh hard. It was a question of surviving in the first two stages. Luckily my gravel crew (Simon Jean-Joseph) gave me good corrections on the pace notes. I am sorry for Loeb. I didn’t wish him to end his career this way. He is a great champion.” 11. NEUVILLE/GILSOUL: « We had mist on the windscreen and I couldn’t see the road very well. This stage was very slippery. I will keep my pace and concentration for the second loop.” 5. NOVIKOV/MINOR: « It was too tricky to take some risks.” 2. HIRVONEN/LEHTINEN: « I tried to push….” 4. OSTBERG/ANDERSSON: « I have troubles with the front brakes.” 9. MIKKELSEN/NAGLE: « I still have to fight with the car even on that type of stage. I can’t find the right feeling.” 21. PROKOP/ERNST: Retired, broken suspension triangle. 22. DUMAS/GIRAUDET: « I can’t heat my tires. I don’t feel confident.” 74. KUBICA/BARAN : « I should be fine on this kind of stage but I didn’t take any risk as it is too easy to make a mistake just by hitting the brakes.” 121. BAUD/CHIOSO : Slight hit where Prokop went off. Checks in late at the regroup in Haguenau. 75. EVANS/BARRITT: “ Difficult to feel confident. I must find a compromise between pushing and saving our position.” 52. GILBERT/JAMOUL : « I was very cautious on all the tricky places like black asphalt or pedestrian zebras. When it’s that wet it becomes like ice.” 51. CHARDONNET/DE LA HAYE : « I must finish the rally. I have to be cautious as I just need to finish second in order to end the season with a win!” 60. CRONIN/CLARKE : « Gaps are done. I don’t have any interest in pushing as nobody is really threatening me behind. I just intend to reach the end!”