Talking of the spectacle and drivers, this year has brought to the fore interesting live observations.

If you want to gasp and be astounded, watch Kalle, Ogier, Ott, Thierry and Lappi. They are pedal-to-the-metal, wherever possible, with some superb lines. Worth travelling to watch that lot.

Evans and Sordo are quick without necessarily standing out. Loubet and Katsuta are very hesitant, clearly not confident. They are lifting where others flat-out. Not hard to work out where they are losing.