Craig Breen has checked into the final regroup one minute late, incurring a 10-second penalty and thus promoting Hyundai team-mate Thierry Neuville into second.
Breen was 8.5 seconds behind Rally Sweden leader Ott Tänak with just the powerstage to go, while Neuville had all but secured himself of third place on the previous stage after beating Kalle Rovanperä by six seconds.
Neuville had trailed Breen by 9.5s, so Breen’s 10s penalty puts Neuville half a second ahead – and Breen 6.6s ahead of Rovanperä – for the powerstage.
Hyundai’s team order will guarantee Neuville at least an extra three championship points but won’t sacrifice any of the team’s manufacturers haul with the two cars remaining second and third.
Breen is only a part-time program so drivers’ championship points are of little relevance to him.
