2010 Neste Oil Rally Finland, Day 1: Review

Latvala leads Rally Finland after day 1

The undulating roads of the Finish countryside claimed their first victim on Friday. Unfortunately, it was last years winner Mikko Hirvonen who busted his car during the fourth stage of the day. Hirvonen was leading the rally since morning and had pulled out 4.9secs before crashing out following a heavy landing after a crest. No one was injured in the incident. However, Mikko’s works Ford Focus WRC suffered substantial damage which forced him to retire.

Hirvonen's works Focus WRC after the crash

“The dream is over and it’s just disappointing but at least we were on the pace before it happened,” said Hirvonen, whose retirement elevated Solberg into the rally lead before Latvala moved ahead three stages later. “I am very comfortable, confident and relaxed,” said the Citroen privateer. “I am not taking any big risks.”

Solberg sits in second place overall after day 1

Mikko’s retirement promoted Petter Solberg briefly into the lead. But Solberg’s advantage was not to last as Ford no.2 Jari Matti Latvala turned the tables once again by winning SS6. By this time Sebastien Loeb had slipped to 6th overall.

“Running third on the road gave me a bit of an advantage today,” said Latvala. “Maybe I took it too carefully at times but we’ll try to keep up this pace tomorrow.” Latvala moved into the lead after going fastest through the first Sirkkamaki stage on Friday afternoon and has continued to edge clear in his works Ford Focus.

Henning Solberg climbed to 5th before wrapping his car around a tree

Matt Wilson is sixth overnight while Hening Solberg climbed to fifth when he slid off the road, rolled twice only to find himself up-side down by a tree. Four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen is up to seventh on his one-off return to the WRC, closely followed by ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Sebastien Loeb was clearly off-pace

Rally Finland concludes with eight further stages on Saturday. Action gets underway at 0733hrs local time with the first car due to reach the finish in Jyvaskyla at 1945hrs. Occasional rain showers are being forecast.