Rally GB: Sébastien Loeb at the controls

Le Rally of Great Britain, although it offers a less attractive sporting challenge than usual, proves to be very indecisive at the end of the first day. Despite the puncture of the leader Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Focus WRC), there are still three of them vying for first place in the Welsh event.

Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C4 WRC), first leader Thursday evening, had to battle against the Finn this Friday. Author of three stage wins in six stages, the World Champion was able to compete for first place, before benefiting from the Ford driver's puncture, pushed back more than a minute.

At the end of SS7, the Alsatian is 1??8 ahead of Petter Solberg (Citroën C4 WRC). Although he did not achieve a better time, the Norwegian played well by managing to keep up with the pace of the leaders. Second at the end of this first day of competition, the 2003 World Champion can legitimately aim for victory.

Third, Sébastien Ogier (Citroën C4 WRC) is not far away either. Author of a scratch (SS5), he remains in ambush 3??6 behind Sébastien Loeb. The big loser at the end of the day was Jari-Matti Latvala, who managed to get ahead of the Citroën triplet. The Finn now has little chance of finishing on the second step of the final WRC podium, and could even lose third place to Petter Solberg.

On Saturday, two loops of four special stages are on the program, plus a passage on the asphalt route of Cardiff Bay, for a total of 138 km. Between Sébastien Loeb, Petter Solberg and Sébastien Ogier, everything is open. The young Frenchman, second in the championship, seems well on his way to finishing vice-world champion.