Oliver Solberg seized the early advantage of Rally Italy Sardinia, winning Thursday afternoon’s superspecial.
Solberg is one of three drivers who can win the World Rally Championship this week, but is third in the standings – 21 points adrift of leader Elfyn Evans and four behind Sami Pajari.
Returning to the event for the first time since 2023, Ittiri Arena Show pitched drivers head-to-head in heat formats, with the top two in the championship going last.
Evans beat Pajari by 0.4s, but it was Solberg who set the pace – 1.1s up on Evans and 0.8s clear of another Toyota driven by Sébastien Ogier.
“The goal is simple: to achieve it is something different,” Solberg confessed. “35 points is what I’m going to do, give it all I have. After a rollercoaster of a season somehow I’m still in the fight which is incredible, so I’m just going to do my best and never give up.”
Pajari said: “That’s just the first stage of this exciting weekend. Of course we’re trying to give absolutely everything we’ve got. From tomorrow onwards it’s going to be one crazy ride.”
Evans added: “I’m feeling alright at the moment. I would say I’m looking forward to the day but I think it’s going to be a tough one tomorrow, but we’ll try to do a good job. We’re definitely not in a position to just cruise around here so still a big job ahead.”
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Thierry Neuville was the first of the Hyundais in fifth, eager to take another victory at the event both he and Hyundai hold the most wins in their respective WRC histories.
Team-mate Dani Sordo was sixth fastest on SS1, 2.4s off the pace, but finds himself 22.4s off the lead because of two separate time penalties.
The first was incurred for checking out of service one minute late after he damaged his car with an off on shakedown; the second for a jump-start on SS1.
Takamoto Katsuta is therefore sixth, 0.3s ahead of Adrien Fourmaux with Jon Armstrong leading M-Sport’s challenge by 0.5s over Josh McErlean.
Mãrtiņš Sesks completed the test 12th, behind the two leading WRC2 crews Teemu Suninen and Emil Lindholm.
