Sebastien Loeb will take a lead of 2.8-seconds into day two of the Neste Oil Rally Finland after a short but dramatic opening leg on high-speed gravel stages north of Jyvaskyla.

Driving a Citroen DS3 WRC, the Frenchman not only swept the roads through the opening three stages, but will also have to clean the line through the loose surface gravel through the Friday stages.

The defending seven-time World Champion sealed his fate with the fastest time on stage two, the classification after which was used to determine the starting order for Friday.

“I’ve made no mistakes and we will see what will happen tomorrow with the road position,” said Loeb.

Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier was second fastest on the opening test but slowed sufficiently on the next run to ensure he would slip behind Loeb in the overall standings after the stage.

“There is only one man who is important for me for the championship and that is Seb Loeb,” said Ogier.

“My goal is to try and beat Seb.”

Factory Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala, is third overnight, 4.4-seconds behind Loeb, was cautious on the opening stage before admitting to dropping time nearing the finish of stage two to gain a more advantageous road position for the second day.

Jari Ketomaa, making his debut in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC in Finland, was a sensational fastest outright on the first stage. But anxious to avoid running first on Friday the Finn wisely reduced his pace close to the finish of stage two.

“I don’t like doing tactics but it’s a long day tomorrow and I don’t want to be first on the road,” said Ketomaa.

Mikko Hirvonen, who hails from Jyvaskyla, suffered a disastrous start to the event, which he won in 2009. The works Ford ace went off the road on a left-hand bend on stage one and struck a tree after he reported his car’s engine momentarily lost power and drive. Damage sustained to his Fiesta’s rear brakes and suspension caused further delay over the next two stages to the extent he is 2m02.7s off the overnight pace.

“We went into one left-hander and the engine died and we lost drive,” said Hirvonen.

“We hit a tree lost all the brakes. The suspension was also damaged.”

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg, Dani Sordo is the top MINI John Cooper Works WRC driver in sixth position following a solid start to the rally.

Leg 1 Results : RallyFinland