Former world champion Ott Tanak opened up a small lead over home driver Esapekka Lappi in the Rally of Finland on Friday as he chases a third win in the event.
The Estonian, behind the wheel of a Hyundai, was 3.8sec ahead of his Toyota rival while current championship leader Kalle Rovanpera was fourth, more than 20 seconds behind.
That was a disappointing first full day for Rovanpera who was expected to dominate in front of his home fans.
"I'm pretty flat out and can't wait to get to bed," said 2019 world champion Tanak who won the Rally of Finland in 2018 and 2019.
He captured three of the day's eight stages while one stage – the fifth – was cancelled due to security concerns.
Standings:
1. Ott Tanak-Martin Järveoja (EST/Hyundai): 50min 40.7sec
2. Esapekka Lappi-Janne Ferm (FIN/Toyota) at 3.8sec
3. Elfyn Evans-Scott Martin (GBR/Toyota) 19.3
4. Kalle Rovanperä-Jonne Halttunen (FIN/Toyota) 21.0
5. Craig Breen-Paul Nagle (IRL/M-Sport Ford) 2.5
6. Takamoto Katsuta-Aaron Johnston (JPN-IRL/Toyota) 35.5
7. Thierry Neuville-Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL/Hyundai) 50.2
8. Pierre-Louis Loubet-Vincent Landais (FRA/M-Sport Ford) 1.00:9
9. Gus Greensmith-Jonas Andersson (GBR-SWE/M-Sport Ford) 1.02:6
10. Teemu Suninen-Mikko Markkula (FIN/Hyundai-WRC2) 2.59:9