Responsible for an excellent time at the second passage through Palheiro Ferreiro, Special Stage marked by fog, “Pepe” Lopez raised four places in the general standing and is the new leader of the Rally Vinho Madeira. Alexandre Camacho had widened his advance on Special Stage 4, but his passage by the last Special Stage of the third section did not only allow for Giandomenico Basso, third, to re-establish his disadvantage from the end of the previous section, but, also, to lose the leadership.

            The differences between the top standings have shortened, since “Pepe” Lopez now secures leadership, only 0.2 seconds over Alexandre Camacho, while Giandomenico Basso returned to a 6.8 seconds difference from the Madeiran driver. Bruno Magalhães fell from second to fourth place, but is now only 0.8 seconds away from Giandomenico Basso. Miguel Nunes lost some time overtaking another competitor, but is now on the top five.