Hayden Paddon and John Kennard, piloting the Hyundai i20 WRC, have however been the revelation of the event and New Zealander Paddon claimed his first-ever WRC podium, while fellow countryman Kennard celebrated his second when they took the runner-up slot. Amid more drama during the final day, Thierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul climbed the leaderboard to third, giving Hyundai a double podium celebration.

In the FIA World Rally Championship, misfortune for many of Ogier’s closest rivals has handed the Frenchman a 66 point advantage over second-placed Mads Østberg. Andreas Mikkelsen slips to third, but just another three points adrift. In the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, Volkswagen Motorsport has a 64 point lead over the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.

Today’s final day of competition was the shortest by far, with just four stages and 45.80 competitive kilometres. Such was Ogier’s overnight advantage, the Frenchman was able to control the pace and save his tyres for the all-important Power Stage, which he again won. Victory represents his third consecutive win on the island. Paddon had no intention of risking his second position, but nevertheless was fastest on the opening stage to finish just over three minutes adrift of Ogier, following his problems late yesterday. Mads Østberg looked secure in third but the Norwegian had an intercom problem in the first stage and as a consequence ran wide in a corner and went off the road. He lost the brakes and progressively slipped further down the field, ultimately finishing fifth. Thierry Neuville therefore climbed from fourth to an unexpected third to take his second podium of the season. Eflyn Evans also benefitted from Østberg’s problem and bounced back to finish fourth while Jari-Matti Latvala rounded off the top six.

Such was the rate of attrition, the remaining positions at the top of the leaderboard were claimed by FIA WRC 2 Championship contenders with Yurii Protasov seventh and winner of the category. Italian Rally Champion Paolo Andreucci finished eighth ahead of Jan Kopecky. Khalid Al Qassimi in a DS3 WRC rounded off the top 10. The FIA WRC 3 Championship for two-wheel drive cars was won by Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula in a DS3 R3T.

The seventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship takes the crews to Mikołajki for Lotos Rally Poland (2-5 July).

Rally Italia Sardegna – Final Unofficial Results (subject to scrutineering)

FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers (after 6 of 13 rounds)

FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers (after 6 of 13 rounds)