After the first 25km stage of Rally Acropolis on Thursday evening, it’s Fords Jari-Matti Latvala who leads the rally going into Friday. Latvala, after setting the 2nd quickest time on Qualifying, went 2.8 seconds faster than Loeb. “I was very equal with Loeb but at the end I seemed to pull out some time at the hairpins,” said Latvala. “I felt really fast in places.”

Photo:D.Darrall

Loeb said: “In some places there is a lot of grip, some places no grip so it is difficult to understand where you can push and where you have to be careful.”

Loeb’s team mate, Mikko Hirvonen was 3rd fastest showing that he’s now very comfortable with his Citroën DS3. Despite a small moment that we saw on the final corner of the stage, Mads Ostberg holds 4th overall.

The only real drama on the Stage came from Fords Petter Solberg. After setting the quickest time in this mornings Qualifying. Solberg only managed 5th quickest and holds 5th going into tomorrows stages. The Norwegian was the only WRC driver to choose the soft tyre. Which by the end of the rough dusty 25Km stage, were like slicks. Treads completely worn to a bold tyre. Going against team recommendations, thinking it wuld be cooler. It proves to be the wrong decision.

Overall results after SS1

1.Latvala
2. Loeb+2
3. Hirv+7
4. Otsberg+13
5. Solbrg+14
6. Novikov+20
7. Tanak+36
8. Prokop+37
9. Neuvill+37
10. Ogier+41
11. AlAttyah+53