SS1: Solberg on top in Wales

Petter Solberg leads Wales Rally GB after heading a Norwegian one-two through Friday’s opening test, Dyfnant. Driving a works Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Solberg completed the run - held in damp and slippery conditions - in a time of 11m53.5s with countryman Mads Ostberg second fastest, 1.5s adrift.

“I’m very happy with that,” said Solberg, world rally champion in 2003. “It was a good start and the car works well. It feels like it can be a very interesting weekend. It’s not bad being fourth on the road but it looks like it’s becoming slippery and muddy in some places but okay, no problem.”

Ostberg, in a privateer Fiesta, said: “It was a good pace, I’m pushing hard. My aim for this event we will be to push in all places. There were no moments here so we will push a bit more in the next stage. It’s getting more and more slippery but in a few places it’s cleaning a bit.”

Jari-Matti Latvala was third fastest after reports of a slightly hesitant getaway from the stage start in his Fiesta. “Petter is driving really well but I’m pleased with that. It will be good to carry on from this point.”

FIA World Rally Championship leader Sebastien Loeb was fourth fastest in his factory Citroen DS3 WRC, 1.9s down on Solberg. “It was okay, not easy and really muddy with the grip changing so I was not so confident,” said the French ace. “I didn’t do a very, very good stage and I am sure behind they will be faster. I didn’t want to take too many risks but the focus is good and everything is going well.”

Finn Mikko Hirvonen, who was 4.0s slower than team-mate Loeb, said: “It was quite okay, a pretty good drive. My car was a bit too stiff but it was as muddy as I thought it would be.”

Citroen Junior driver Thierry Neuville, running first on the road, was 29.5s down on Solberg. He said: “I was very muddy and slippery and I had no confidence at all but we did the stage and I enjoyed it. Maybe it would have been easier to be running further back to see the lines but it’s a nice experience and we need to continue.”