Ogier fastest in Rally Australia shakedown

Reuters - Frenchman Sebastien Ogier was fastest in the Shakedown for the title-deciding Rally Australia on Thursday (November 15). Ogier and Belgian Thierry Neuville took their thrilling battle for the world rally championship to the bushland tracks of northern New South Wales this weekend. M-Sport Ford driver Ogier, who is gunning for a sixth successive world title, holds a three-point lead over Hyundai's Neuville heading into the final round of the championship with up to 30 on the line around the coastal city of Coffs Harbour. Toyota's Ott Tanak remains in mathematical contention for the title in third place 23 points behind Ogier but the Estonian will be relying on something going spectacularly wrong for the other two contenders. Neuville, who is looking to break France's 14-year grip on the title, led the championship until the last round in Spain when a broken wheel rim cost him vital points in the final power stage. The 30-year-old won in Australia last year and being second in the championship will have the advantage of watching Ogier going out first and sweeping the hot gravel tracks on day one on Friday, improving conditions for the drivers that follow.