Petter Solberg takes the lead

Citroën makes a successful start to the race on the Rally from Mexico. After four stages, the first four places are occupied by four crews occupying a Citroën C4 WRC. While much was expected of the second duel of the year between Sébastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen, other drivers got involved in the fight: Sébastien Ogier and Petter Solberg in the first place.

As the drivers take the Mexican roads, the scanning carried out previously allows the following to gain traction. This is how Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus WRC), opening as championship leader, suffers from the very slippery roads he inaugurates. Sébastien Loeb, second on the road, benefits, but even more so the rivals who follow him. “ We must continue like this, attack as much as possible, says Loeb. I try to do my best. Everything is going well for the moment. » At the end of the first four special stages, the Frenchman is third, 26 seconds behind Petter Solberg.

Petter Solberg, very motivated after his disappointment in Sweden, took advantage of these ideal conditions to take control of the event from SS1 and consolidate his position subsequently, by accumulating the scratches in the first three special stages of the morning . “ I know my position on the road helps me, says the Norwegian. But I am very satisfied with the car, much more than in Sweden. »

The 2003 World Champion is therefore ahead of Sébastien Ogier (Citroën C4 WRC), brilliant second, as well as Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C4 WRC) and Dani Sordo (Citroën C4 WRC). Although he is only third, the Frenchman has a nice lead of 29 seconds over Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus WRC), his main rival for the world title. The Finn is sixth in the general classification, more than 55 seconds from the race lead, and could still suffer from his position in the afternoon loops.

Five stages, including two short super specials, are still on the program this Friday. Petter Solberg could well take advantage of this to increase his lead before opening the road on Saturday, unless the second loop of this first day offers a completely different outcome.