Petter Solberg takes charge

Petter Solberg (Citroen C4 WRC) will open the road on the second day of Rally from New Zealand, as was already the case in Mexico. But unlike his American performance, the Norwegian was less dominant. Author of the best times in SS 1 and 8, the driver-owner occupied first position until SS2 then regained this place at the finish of SS8.

The general classification at the end of SS8 determining the starting order in Saturday's specials, the 2003 World Champion will start ahead of Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Focus WRC), Sébastien Ogier (Citroën C4 WRC) and Dani Sordo (Citroën C4 WRC). But with these three drivers only having a handful of seconds on Petter Solberg, the one who performs best could gain a great advantage heading into the final day.

Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus WRC) finds himself further back, fifth, twenty seconds behind the Norwegian. He will need to have a very good second day to get closer to the podium. “I attacked really hard,” said the Finn. I didn't make any mistakes but I just couldn't go any faster. It wasn't a good day. »

The vice-Champion will have to fight to get closer to the lead, especially since the sweep does not seem to greatly condemn the opener of the road, Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C4 WRC) having signed some excellent times this Friday, including a scratch in SS7. But the Frenchman lost 1?20?? while hitting the ES3, wasting time trying to block his damaged door. Without this problem, the Citroën driver could have found himself a few tenths behind the leader since he is now seventh? at 1?20?? by Petter Solberg, or the time lost in this incident. But the Alsatian still believes in the podium. “It’s getting difficult but we’re going to try,” commented Sébastien Loeb.

After this first day, the ranking suggests that victory could be between Petter Solberg, Jari-Matti Latvala, Sébastien Ogier and Dani Sordo. Despite inheriting a difficult opening position, the current leader remains confident. “We will have to make do with it,” he confides. Seb did a very good job today (opening the road) and I wasn't bad either (in second position). It even went very well. I feel good. The main thing is to know that Seb stays behind me. »

At the end of SS8, the asphalt super special closing the first day of the Rally changed nothing, except that Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala were able to get a little closer to Petter Solberg in the standings. general, while Dani Sordo lost a few tenths. On Saturday, the battle between the four drivers should make it possible to identify a favorite before the short day on Sunday.