The French Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) took the lead of the Rallye de Monza, last round of the WRC season, with half a second ahead of the Briton Elfyn Evans (Toyota), at the end of the second and penultimate day Saturday.
The last two rivals in the world championship, who have been constantly exchanging orders since the start of the event on Friday morning, are therefore closer than ever to three specials from the finish on Sunday.
Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai) remains 3rd, 27.4 seconds from Ogier.
In the race for the coronation, the figures are in favor of the Frenchman, who has a 17-point lead, with a maximum of 30 still in play. To convert this advantage into an 8th world title, he must finish ahead of his rival or score at least 13 points.
To overturn the table, the Welshman must register 18 more than the seven-time world champion.
The constructors' title is also being played in Italy: Toyota is 47 steps ahead of Hyundai, with 52 points at most to seize.
From next year, Ogier will no longer play the full season but a few selected heats, without his historic co-driver Julien Ingrassia, who will retire.
The Monza Rally has 16 stages and 253.18 km timed, mainly on asphalt.
The last three will be contested on the legendary Monza circuit on Sunday from 7:48 a.m.
