Sebastien Loeb - Photo Credit: Citroen Racing Media
Sebastien Loeb holds a 0.7 second lead over title rival Mikko Hirvonen after the first three stages of Wales Rally GB on Thursday.
Hirvonen's Ford teammate Jari-Matti Latvala was quickest on SS1, ahead of Loeb and Hirvonen. The big story though was Sebastien Ogier, who crashed out. The Frenchman will return on Friday morning.
Loeb was quickest on SS2, the second run through Great Orme, but Latvala remained in the lead. Points leader Loeb took the lead on SS3 Clocaenog, while Hirvonen posted the fastest time to demote Latvala to third overall. The trio are covered by 3.1s.
Petter Solberg is fourth in his privately-entered Citroen, ahead of top Brit Kris Meeke. His Mini teammate Dani Sordo is sixth, half a second ahead of Mads Ostberg. Ott Tanak is eighth on his debut in a World Rally Car, with Matthew Wilson and Henning Solberg completing the top ten.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Car | Time/Gap |
| 1. | Sebastien Loeb | Citroen Total | Citroen DS3 WRC | 14:38.0 |
| 2. | Mikko Hirvonen | Ford Abu Dhabi | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +0.7 |
| 3. | Jari-Matti Latvala | Ford Abu Dhabi | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +3.1 |
| 4. | Petter Solberg | PSWRT | Citroen DS3 WRC | +11.9 |
| 5. | Kris Meeke | Mini | Mini John Cooper Works WRC | +18.7 |
| 6. | Dani Sordo | Mini | Mini John Cooper Works WRC | +27.3 |
| 7. | Mads Østberg | M-Sport Stobart | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +27.8 |
| 8. | Ott Tänak | M-Sport Stobart | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +30.6 |
| 9. | Matthew Wilson | M-Sport Stobart | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +36.5 |
| 10. | Henning Solberg | M-Sport Stobart | Ford Fiesta RS WRC | +37.8 |
