Sebastien Loeb has shown his intentions at the Rally Finland by setting the fastest time on the qualifying stage and has chosen to start 11th on the road for the opening leg.
The Citroen star completed the 4.26-kilometre Ruuhimaki test in a time of 2m17.470s, 0.555s faster than Finn Jari-Matti Latvala in a Ford.
“It was difficult to read the road at times and you were not sure where the slippery places were,” said Loeb.
“But it was okay, no mistakes.”
Rain prior to the run had crews on their toes throughout the stage.
“It was a bit soft in places and also a bit rough, I couldn’t have done better than this,” said Latvala.
Loeb’s Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was third, Petter Solberg in the second factory Fiesta RS WRC fourth. Following was Evgeny Novikov, Mads Ostberg, Ott Tanak, and Thierry Neuville eighth.
Australia’s Chris Atkinson, who is driving the Qatar World Rally Team Citroen, stalled at the stage start and lost one and a half seconds set the ninth quickest time with Jari Ketomaa in 10th.
Following is where the leading drivers will start the opening leg:
Loeb – 10th
Latvala – 11th
Hirvonen – 12th
Solberg – 13th
Novikov – 14th
Ostberg – 15th
Neuville – 16th
Atkinson – 17th
