Loeb to start third, Neuville goes first

Sebastien Loeb will start Wales Rally GB, round 10 of the FIA World Rally Championship, in third position on the road in his Citroen DS3 WRC.

Leading crews are expecting overnight showers will compact the gravel surface and cancel out the possibility of having to sweep a line through the loose gravel and loose vital seconds.

Eight-time world champion Loeb earned the right to choose his starting position first at the ceremonial start in Llandudno this evening after he went fastest on the Qualifying Stage at Walters Arena on Wednesday afternoon.

He explained his decision to WRC Live’s Colin Clark: “There might be a little bit of rain but not so much. When it’s raining it’s a lot better to be in front. If it’s drier then it’s not good to be first so we have chosen third. We don’t always have the perfect weather information but I don’t think it will be cleaning so much.”

Petter Solberg, who was the second driver to choose his starting position, will line up one place behind Loeb. The factory Ford ace said: “For sure I was covering what Sebastien was doing. I was thinking he would take number two and I would be number three but when he went three I thought maybe I would go one or two back. I want to beat him, he will be the fastest and that’s why I chose number four so I am right behind him.”

Mikko Hirvonen, in the second factory Citroen, will start second on the road and insisted he hadn’t been ordered to run ahead of his more illustrious team-mate through Friday’s stages. “I could choose whatever I like,” said the Finn. “I have been second on the road here many times and I know I can be very fast. I can definitely mount a challenge.”

Thierry Neuville, who was the fourth driver to choose his starting position, selected first on the road in the firm belief there will be heavy rain overnight. “I hope there will be a lot of rain tonight, if not it will be difficult for me,” said the Belgian Citroen driver. “It’s a challenge but we will manage. My aim is to finish the rally without making a mistake.”

Evgeny Novikov has selected 14th on the road in his M-Sport Fiesta. Australian Chris Atkinson will be the first MINI driver through the stages in 10th place.

Friday’s opening stage, Dyfnant, gets underway at 08:13hrs local time.

Top 10 starting positions for day one:

First: Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Citroen)
Second: Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen (Citroen)
Third: Sebastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (Citroen)
Fourth: Petter Solberg/Chris Patterson (Ford)
Fifth: Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila (Ford)
Sixth: Mads Ostberg/Jonas Andersson (Ford)
Seventh: Nasser Al-Attiyah/Giovanni Bernacchini (Citroen)
Eighth: Ott Tanak/Kuldar Sikk (Ford)
Ninth: Matthew Wilson/Scott Martin (Ford)
Tenth: Chris Aktinson/Stephane Prevot (MINI)