SURPRISE leader Patrick Bernardini of France kept his cool yesterday and moved closer to his first victory in the Monte Carlo Rally.

After the last two timed stages before the traditional night finale, Bernardini's Ford Escort was three minutes and 29 seconds in front of compatriot Francois Delecour's Peugeot 306. Delecour lost ground on Bernardini because of clutch problems.

Pre race favourite Armin Schwarz, who has been slowed down by transmission failure on his Toyota Celica since the start on Monday, was third, four minutes and 56 seconds back and with little hope of winning.

Schwarz kept fighting to clock the fastest time in the day's first timed stage, a nine miles sprint from Clumanc to Lambruisse which cost Bernardini 12 seconds. But Bernardini was back in control with the best time in the next section over 10 miles' from Loda to Luceram, which saw Schwarz lose a minute and 12 seconds.