There was drama in World Rally Championship-2 on the final day of the Central European Rally before a single Rally2 car has entered the stages, as Emil Lindholm retired on the road section.
Hyundai’s reigning WRC2 champion Lindholm pulled up en route to the day’s opening Bohmerwald test with an alternator issue.
It’s a disappointing end to the season for Lindholm who’ll end his title defense without any victories. But his retirement does have big ramifications on the WRC2 title fight.
Gus Greensmith is now on course to become the points leader and prolong the scrap to Japan. The Briton needs to be at least fifth this weekend with Andreas Mikkelsen running outside the points, and that’s exactly where he was before Lindholm retired.
So the former M-Sport driver is now fourth, forcing Mikkelsen to win the powerstage to stand any chance of claiming the championship this weekend.
But Mikkelsen would still be the title favorite, needing very few points in Japan to seal his second crown in three years.
In the rally, Nicolas Ciamin now leads WRC2 over Erik Cais with an advantage of 12.4s.
