Volkswagen trump Sebastien Ogier is now just three stages away from claiming the World Rally Championship.
After SS19, the 19.44km Shipmans run Ogier has moved to a 53.3s advantage over Mikko Hirvonen.
The Finn Hirvonen has been repaid for his relentless chase by cracking the fastest time on SS18 in his Citroen DS3, the first time a stage has been won by a manufacturer other than Volkswagen.
Thierry Neuville (Ford Focus RS) has consolidated his position in third, 1:22.8s back but now with a nice cushion over Jari-Matti Latvala.
With the podium seemingly set, there remains the repeats of the Bucca (10.89km), Wedding Bells (22.94km) and Shipmans stages before Ogier is officially crown the world champion with three rounds remaining in the WRC.
Standings after SS19
| 1 | S. OGIER | 2:47:51.2 | 0.0 |
| 2 | M. HIRVONEN | 2:48:44.5 | +53.3 |
| 3 | T. NEUVILLE | 2:49:14.0 | 1:22.8 |
| 4 | J. LATVALA | 2:49:45.9 | 1:54.7 |
| 5 | M. OSTBERG | 2:50:23.5 | 2:32.3 |
| 6 | A. MIKKELSEN | 2:50:41.8 | 2:50.6 |
| 7 | E. NOVIKOV | 2:55:03.9 | 7:12.7 |
| 8 | N. QUINN | 2:58:53.0 | 1:01.8 |
| 9 | K. AL QASSIMI | 3:00:46.6 | 2:55.4 |
| 10 | A. AL-KUWARI | 3:02:42.8 | 14:51.6 |
