Stage 1 – Latvala confirms his domination… Loeb sinks
Jari-Matti Latvala for BP Ford is currently leading the Rally Sweden, the second round of the 2008 season. The Frenchman Sébastien Loeb went off the road on the 4th special stage and decided to retire. The Finn, after 8 special stages and this first day, is therefore ahead of his teammate Mikko Hirvonen in another […]
Jari-Matti Latvala for BP Ford is currently leading the Rally Sweden, the second round of the 2008 season. The Frenchman Sébastien Loeb went off the road on the 4th special stage and decided to retire.
The Finn, after 8 special stages and this first day, is therefore ahead of his teammate Mikko Hirvonen in another Ford Focus by 48 seconds. He impressed by achieving 5 best times. Henning Solberg is the first Stobart driver. He is third and ahead of his teammate Gigi Galli.
“It’s a very, very good day,” declared Latvala. “I am very confident and have a good feeling when I’m behind the wheel. I just want to enjoy it, and I hope to have the same conditions tomorrow morning for the rest of the rally.”
On his side, Hirvonen is disappointed (after Loeb’s retirement) to have to sweep the road and offer valuable seconds to his teammate: “It has been a difficult day for me, sweeping the road,” he commented. “There are still two long days to go. Jari-Matti Latvala has a big advantage on that front and is doing a perfect job. It will be difficult to catch up with him, but we will try!”
Petter Solberg is in 5th position as the first non-Ford driver in the standings with his Subaru Impreza. The young Norwegian driver, Ostberg, was very aggressive today, losing some time in the second special stage. Then in ninth position, the Norwegian closed the gap to just 30 seconds behind Solberg senior.
« I am very happy, but it’s a shame to have had such problems this morning! » Said Ostberg.
« It’s incredible for me – at 20 years old – and I’m really trying to pass Peter Solberg. I’ve always been a fan of this driver and now I realize that he’s simply a competitor. I’m happy to be in the big leagues. »
Tony Gardemeister is 8th with the Suzuki SX4, ahead of the young Andreas Mikkelsen, only 18 years old.
Dani Sordo for the first Citroën is only 17th. The Spaniard is struggling to drive on snowy surfaces and is fighting as hard as he can. Chris Atkinson, who had an accident this morning at the ES2, is 33rd, three minutes ahead of Loeb in the C4, who rejoined in the Super Rally in the penultimate position…
Rally Sweden – Stage 1 – Top 10
| Drivers | Teams | Time | |
| 1 | Latvala | Ford Focus | 1:33:33.3 |
| 2 | Hirvonen | Ford Focus | + 48.2 |
| 3 | H. Solberg | Ford Stobart | + 56.3 |
| 4 | Galli | Ford Stobart | + 1:02.0 |
| 5 | P. Solberg | Subaru Impreza | + 1:45.2 |
| 6 | Ostberg | Subaru Impreza | + 2:15.1 |
| 7 | Wilson | Ford Stobart | + 2:59.6 |
| 8 | Gardemeister | Suzuki SX4 | + 3:21.6 |
| 9 | Mikkelsen | Ford Focus 07 | + 4:05.8 |
| 10 | Sandell | Peugeot 206 | + 5:14.6 |
