WRC Rally GB: Ogier takes early lead ahead of Latvala

VW's third driver Andreas Mikkelsen was Ogier's main rival on the World Rally Championship finale's opening stage, but went off into a ditch and damaged his steering on SS2, forcing him out of leg one.

That left Ogier looking comfortable as he edged further clear of Latvala, before the Finn struck back by winning SS3.

Ogier was slightly quicker again on SS4, leaving them 9.5 seconds apart heading for service.

While the remaining VWs are in a class of their own in the muddy conditions, the battle for third place is extremely close.

Mads Ostberg holds the position in his Citroen, 4.5s ahead of Mikko Hirvonen's M-Sport Ford.

Kris Meeke would be between them but for a 10s jump-start penalty incurred on the opening stage, which places him fifth, just ahead of Thierry Neuville's Hyundai.

Home favourite Elfyn Evans is seventh, while Robert Kubica has struggled with the conditions so far and runs 12th.

Along with Mikkelsen, the only frontrunner already out is Hyundai's Juho Hanninen, who crashed on SS3.

LEADING POSITIONS AFTER SS4:

COMPREHENSIVE RALLY GB COVERAGE

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