The young Belgium driver is the rally leader after Day 1 in Rally Finland 2013. Neuville finished fifth in SS 5 Himos 2 at +3.1 seconds by Mads Ostberg in a heavy rain. Very surprising result is the second position of Jarkko Nikara (FIN) / J. Kalliolepo with Mini John Cooper Works WRC. Ogier / Ingrassia is fifth in the stage 5. In the last stage for Day 1 SSS 6 Killeri 1 (2.06 km) the fastest man is again Thierry Neuville as second position for Evgeny Novikov / Ilka Minor.
After the serious problems with the Polo suspension Jari-Matti Latvala retired by the rally. Latvala and Antilla received a 4.40 minutes penalty due too 28 minutes delay for the start.
Results after the end of Day 1:
1. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) 25:33.3
2. Sebastien Ogier / J. Ingrassia (Volkswagen Polo R WRC) +5.2
3. Mads Ostberg / Jonas Andersson (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +8.9
4. Mikko Hirvonen / Jarmo Lehtinen (Citroen DS3 WRC) +13.8
5. Juho Hanninen / Tomi Tuominen (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) +17.0
6. Kris Meeke / Chris Patterson (Citroen DS3 WRC) +17.5
The rally continues tomorrow with 9 stages as the first one starts at 8:48 AM CET.