The first day in France is completed, and Petter and Chris is fifth in the overall classification. Sebastien Loeb is leading the rally, Dani Sordo is second and Sebastien Ogier is third. Yvan Muller had to retire from the day, when his car stopped on the roadsection after SS4. He were in 12th position when he retired, and will restart again tomorrow under SuperRally regulations.
– Iam quite happy with the day, says Petter Solberg. – On the afternoon loop the stages were really muddy and it were not easy to find any grip. As the cars pass through the stages, they drag more and more mud onto the stage when cutting corners, and the mud and the damped conditions makes it difficult to get grip. – I was hoping to be second on the road for tomorrow, but even from fifth position I will push to get back up in the leader-board!
Rallye de France continues with 8 more stages tomorrow, including the longest one of the rally, SS11, which is 35kms long. First car will start the first stage at 0828.
Overall classification day 1:
1. Loeb, Citroën
2. Sordo, Citroën +22,7
3. Ogier, Citroën +25,6
4. Latvala, Ford +41,8
5. Petter, Citroën +45,8
6. Hirvonen, Ford +1.50,8
7. Raikkonen, Citroën +3.27,4
8. Villagra, Ford +5.34,6
9. Wilson, Ford +5.58,1
10. Block, Ford +7.01,4
– Credit: Petter Solberg World Rally Team.