Petter Solberg ended the first leg of Rally Japan with a 9-second lead over Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen and a 20-second lead over third-placed Sébastien Ogier.
Suffering from a bout of flu, the Norwegian felt better today than yesterday, when he was completely exhausted after completing the two short Super Special Stages scheduled in the evening.
He still started the day on the right foot, setting the fastest time on the first two morning stages and taking the lead of the rally. He then settled into his rhythm and stayed in control, despite Hirvonen’s attack in the afternoon.
Showing he still had some energy left in himself, Solberg went on to win the final stage of the day.
“It feels great to finish the first day in Japan as the overnight leader”, he said. “We know, and we have shown before, that we are able to fight with the others when everything is perfect, and today it had been. Well, maybe expect myself. I can really feel that the fever is definitely not helping, and at the end of the long stages today I had to fight hard to stay focused and I know I lost time. Hope another night with some good sleep will help me. Have no special plan for tomorrow, will just get back out there and do my best.”