Mikko Hirvonen leads in Wales Rally GB

01-12-2007 12:11

Hirvonen won the first four stages of Wales Rally GB.

Loeb, needing a top-five finish to secure his fourth world title for Citroen, took no risks.

The Frenchman finshed third on day one, 2.9 seconds adrift of Gronholm.

Finland's Hirvonen finished day one 25.6 seconds clear of his compatriot Gronholm, who is competing in his final rally before retirement.

Stobart Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala, another Finn, was running in fourth place with Subaru's Norwegian Petter Solberg pushing hard behind him.

Loeb leads Gronholm by six points in the standings and has won eight rallies this season to the Finn's five.

Ford have already made sure of their second successive manufacturers' title.