Mikko Hirvonen has put himself in a strong position to take the win on the Wales Rally GB following day one of the event.

The BP Ford #2 put in an outstanding performance in his Focus RS WRC car and despite the dreadful weather conditions he managed to win five of the day's six stages and built a very solid 39.6 second advantage.

Speaking at the end of the leg though in service B at Swansea, the 27-year-old admitted that the conditions were actually rather 'scary' - especially in the final test, Rheola 2, which was held in the dark and in torrential rain and thick fog, something that forced a number of drivers to slow to almost walking pace on the highest parts of the stage.

“I couldn't see more than a handful of metres on the final stage, it was the worst I can remember,” he noted. “It was like having a white wall in front of the car and in some sections it was easier to drive with no lights at all.

“The conditions were terrible. I was unable to see even on the straights. I couldn't see a thing. For me it's unbelievable.

“I've never seen anything like it. You just can't see at all. Driving in the dark, the fog and the rain was scary.”

Asked how he was able to go so much quicker than his rivals during the day though, Mikko admitted that while he probably took a few more risks, he just felt at one with his car.

"I guess I took more risks than the others,” he conceded. “My pace notes were perfect all day and I trusted them 100 per cent.

“I felt confident with the car and tyres. That allowed me to keep pushing and build my lead.

“Tomorrow I will try to maintain it, but I've not driven those stages for a few years so it won't be easy,” he concluded.