SS4: Stage win hands Ogier Portugal lead

Sebastien Ogier has moved into the lead of Vodafone Rally de Portugal after winning the final stage of Friday morning’s opening loop.

Ogier edged Petter Solberg by 2.3s with Citroen team-mate Sebastien Loeb third quickest, 3.2s adrift of Ogier.

“The rally is very long,” said Ogier, who claimed his maiden WRC win in Portugal last season. “We started quite slowly, it took some time to wake up but now it’s okay. I’m happy, at the moment everything is perfect.”

Jari-Matti Latvala completed the stage, made famous following his huge crash on it back in 2009, was fourth quickest, one place ahead of Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen.

The world championship leader, who held top spot in Portugal after the first three stages despite clearing the road of the loose-surface gravel, reported a lack of precision from his Ford Fiesta’s tyres on stage four. He is now third in the overall standings, albeit a mere 3.3s off the lead.

Crews are now heading to the Estadio Algarve near Faro for the rally’s first service halt.

Standings after SS4: