The morning loop of Wales Rally GB's first leg was completed on the Rheola stage, a downhill route with flowing bends where braking points must be precisely hit. Of course, braking power does not count so much when good jumps send the cars into the air... Also of importance is the famous left-hand turn facing the lake that must be carefully navigated.

Mikko Hirvonen has once again signed a quickest time this morning, continuously adding several seconds on his overall lead with each run. On this particular stage, the Ford team driver was very satisfied with his performance: "It was absolutely perfect. If I drove it again, I would not have the same result."

Stobart Ford team member Jari-Matti Latvala has started picking up extra pace and accomplished the second-fastest time on this route, crossing the line only 0'01"8 behind. "It is getting better," he reported. "It is looking very good, but Mikko (Hirvonen) is driving very hard."

As he continues to hope for a new world title this week-end, Marcus Grönholm claimed third position at the wheel of his works Ford Focus RS, 4.6 seconds away from his stage-winning teammate. "With these conditions I cannot really push. I want to see what will happen with Sebastian (Loeb) and hope to have a chance," he candidly admitted, adding: "It's my only chance."

Fourth-placed Sébastien Loeb shared his rival's evaluation of the current situation on the trails, although he has the luxury of tempering his approach. "It is not possible to fight with Mikko (Hirvonen) and Marcus (Grönholm) in these conditions, it is very muddy. It is tricky," the Citroën team driver reported. "I prefer to take it easy and not take any risks."

Subaru's Petter Solberg was 15.2 seconds down the line from the stage leader but remained prudently confident. "It is okay, we are doing everything we can but it is very slippery," declared the fifth-placed Norwegian. "It is still a long way to go. We have to try to get more grip in the car. We're doing everything we can, we're trying very hard."

In the sixth spot, Dani Sordo was still trying to squeeze the most out of his works Citroën C4. "It is very difficult with these conditions. The other drivers like Mikko (Hirvonen) are very fast. It is very difficult," said the Spaniard.

Now in seventh position as he slowly makes his way up the stage rankings despite being 21.1 seconds away from the fastest time, Stobart Ford's Matthew Wilson is building on his good feelings. "It has been a good morning, especially this stage," he said. "It is not easy, but good fun. It would be nice to get a three-points finish for the end of the year."

Very close behind Wilson, Chris Atkinson's official Subaru Impreza WRC took position number eight. Stobart Ford's Henning Solberg came next in line, happy that his earlier rear tyre puncture did not leave any residual effects. Manfred Stohl rounded off the top ten aboard his OMV Kronos Citroën Xsara.

Mikko Hirvonen's overall lead now stands at 21.4 seconds on teammate Marcus Grönholm, who in turn now leads championship rival Sébastien Loeb by a single second. Overall fourth-placed Jari-Matti Latvala has edged closer to Loeb by bringing the gap down to seven seconds. Petter Solberg remains fifth but falls behind after moving from 11.6 to 25 seconds away.

The second passage over this morning's routes will be presented this afternoon and may be affected by an additional element: heavy rain has been forecasted and might appear before the end of the day.