Latvala leads Rally GB after day 1

After battling treacherous conditions that caused plenty of incidents, young Finn, Jari-Matti Latvala leads Wales Rally GB after the first day.  Drivers faced icy and muddy conditions and a number of the day's stages were either shortened or cancelled as a result.

The day was a disaster for both Chris Atkinson and Mikko Hirvonen.  Hirvonen rolled his Ford Focus on SS5, and Atkinson crashed heavily on SS8, resulting in him being air-lifted to hospital (see separate story).  All drivers and co-drivers are reported to be OK.

Suzuki's PG Andersson finished day one in third position, Suzuki's best ever WRC result, and he will be hoping to go on with it for the remainder of the event.  Privateer Mads Ostberg, finished the day in fourth place, with four-time Rally GB winner, Petter Solberg, was fifth.

Wales Rally GB - Results at end of Leg 1

1. Latvala

2. Loeb + 12.9 (diff. to previous)

3. Andersson +9.6

4. Ostberg +1.5

5. P. Solberg +3.4

6. Sordo +4.8

7. Duval +19.8

8. Ogier +2.8

9. H. Solberg +9.9

10. Wilson +28.3

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