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Youth on the march.

World champion Sébastien Ogier hunting down young guns Andreas Mikkelsen and Thierry Neuville.

Sébastien Ogier (Polo R WRC #1) was the first to take his hat off to Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). "Regardless of the starting position, you still have to be able to take full advantage," said the world champion, praising the Belgian, who holds something of a surprise lead going into the final day. Andreas Mikkelsen (Polo R WRC #9) had a different explanation. "The youngest drivers in the oldest cars - that is the secret to success," the Norwegian joked, alluding to the fact that both he and Neuville are at the wheel of the cars still in line with the 2014 WRC specifications. The two youngsters are still changing gear the conventional way - with a gear stick - as their cars do not yet have shift paddles on their steering wheels.

Mikkelsen found himself just 1.5 seconds off the lead as he crossed the finish line at the end of today's leg. In order to be well equipped for the crucial three special stages on Sunday, Mikkelsen had his Polo R WRC fitted with a different rear-axle differential during the evening's 45-minute service. "I drove with this set-up here in Sweden last year. It is ideal for Sunday." He does not have a great deal of time to overturn his 1.5-second deficit. "There are just 47 kilometres of special stage remaining. I will have to be on top form from the word go."

Sébastien Ogier (Polo R WRC #1) was quite happy with his day's work on Saturday and goes into the final leg 9.6 seconds behind Neuville after 18 special stages. "My goal was not to be more than ten seconds off the lead at the end of day two. I have achieved that," said the Frenchman, who was left to open the route for almost two complete days of the rally. "Tomorrow Thierry, Andreas and I will have virtually identical conditions. It will be very exciting."

The best way to describe Jari-Matti Latvala's (Polo R WRC #2) afternoon would be ‘character-building'. The Finn saw his chances of winning the rally vanish when he crashed into a snow bank on Friday, and a spin on Saturday cost him a further 40 seconds. "I tried out a few things with the chassis set-up, differentials and weight distribution, with next year's Rally Sweden in mind," Latvala revealed. "At least I know now that these changes do not work."

The handling proved to be rather tricky, dashing any hopes of Latvala improving his position - 17th after the first two legs. The biggest disadvantage of this is the fact that Jari-Matti Latvala must now start well towards the front of the field, as the top drivers start in reverse order, based on the overall standings. It is even possible that he will be the first man onto the route. "If the weather and road conditions stay the same as on Saturday, I can kiss goodbye to any thought.