OLBIA, Sardinia (AP) — Seven-time defending world champion Sebastien Loeb led after the opening day of the Sardinia Rally.
Driving a Citroen, the Frenchman won four of Friday’s eight special stages and had a 33.2-second advantage ahead of Norways’s Petter Solberg, with Ford rival Mikko Hirvonen of Finland 53.1 seconds back in third place.
Loeb’s teammate Sebastien Ogier dropped from second to fourth after a tactical call to slow down on the day’s final stage. He stood 55.5 seconds off the lead.
The race continues Saturday and Sunday.
