Intro:

World champion Sébastien Ogier occupies first place in the World Rally Championship's Wales Rally GB after the opening loop.

Script:

The opening day of Wales Rally GB proper got underway on Friday.

Andreas Mikkelsen was the first driver to come unstuck on the muddy forest roads.

The Norwegian mistimed a bend during the second test causing heavy damage to the front of his VW car and was forced to call it a day.

World champion Sebastien Ogier showed that he has no plans to hold back as he targets his final victory of the season.

The French driver went flat out to claim wins in three of the four morning tests, leaving him 9.5 seconds clear of VW team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala in second place.

A brush with disaster cost Latvala precious seconds as he overshot a junction in the second test.

But the Finn made up for it by setting the fastest pace in the third.

Mats Ostberg lies in third place 40.1 seconds behind Ogier.

With his plans for next year still unknown, a strong finish to this season is vital for the Citroen driver.