Elfyn Efans has moved up to third place in Rally Italia Sardegna after event leader Ott Tänak was forced to pull out after hitting a rock in Saturday morning’s final speed test.

The Estonian started the Lerno – Monti di Ala’ test with a 40.6second advantage over Sébastien Ogier, but the Estonian parked his Hyundai i20 World Rally Car 8.9km into the 22.08km special stage.

It’s the second successive rally that Tänak has retired whilst leading and his demise left Ogier 17.5seconds clear of Dani Sordo as competitors returned to mid-leg service in Olbia.

Evans trails his Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Ogier by 32.1 seconds after seeing a marked improvement in the car’s performance overnight.

Evans said: “I pulled my finger out overnight. It’s definitely going better, the feeling in the car is better. It’s incredible what a small change can do really.

"I think it’s close all around, so I’m trying not to get drawn into anything too easily. We have to keep doing the best job we can, it’s still a long way to go."

There are four further stages this afternoon.