[Speaking in the mid-day service] "I couldn't see much in the first stage because of fog and visibility was down to 10 metres in places, but I'm not afraid to drive fast when I can't see. I had no idea how good my speed was and at the finish my first words to Jarmo were 'we've either lost a minute or won a minute'. My pace notes worked really well and in fog that is so important. There was also a lot of rain and the stage was treacherous. The roads will be even muddier this afternoon but I need to continue at this pace."
Henning Solberg [Stobart VK M-Sport Ford WRT]: [retired from day 1 in SS5 - hit a rock and damaged the suspension]
“I am very disappointed with what has happened today. We hit a rock on the inside of a right hand corner on stage 5 and broke the right suspension. It is a shame because the feeling was starting to come and we set the third fastest time on stage 4. The mechanics will be working hard tonight and hopefully they can have the car fixed for tomorrow’s stages.”
[Speaking in the mid-day service] “I couldn’t see a thing for the entire first stage that I don’t even remember it. It was incredible how much fog there was and we lost so much time because of this. When the conditions are wet and there is lots of fog it makes the grip level very difficult to judge. My times on the last two stages were a lot better and we set the second fastest time on the last one but it is just a shame we lost all that time on stage 1.”
Toni Gardemeister [Suzuki WRT]: [retired from day 1 in SS8 – hit a rock and damaged the suspension]
"Both myself and P-G have actually been very unlucky on this event. In my case I saw a big rock right on the racing line, which is unusual, and I could not help hitting it. Without that problem we would have got to the end of the day safely in seventh, with some good chances of finishing in the top six. Everything is not yet lost though, and we can still come back and achieve something from this event. The conditions today were as difficult as I have ever known them: the surfaces were really slippery and we were struggling for grip all the time. It could be the same again tomorrow, so we have to just try and stay out of trouble and move up the order as best as we can."
Luis Perez Companc [Munchi’s Ford WRT]: [retired from day 1 in SS8 – went off the road and got stuck in a ditch]
[Speaking in the mid-day service] “We have to change the suspension, it has to be softer. I was not able to see even 5 metres ahead due to the heavy fog. I went off the road three times in La Cumbre and that’s why Villagra has got a 1 minute difference. It is a pity SS2 has been so difficult because it is a stage I like a lot”.
Team principals:
Olivier Quesnel [Citroen Total WRT - team principal]:
"It's been a good day for Citroën Sport. Sébastien and Daniel survived all the pitfalls to take the lead and build up what could be a useful cushion for the rest of the weekend. Dani and Marc also put in a solid performance, gradually upping their pace before slipping back with a problem on SS8 with the provisional podium in their sights. They still have everything to play for, though, and they can still finish in the top-three. The picture is looking good for Citroën at the moment, but there are still two tough days to come, so we need to stay on our guard."
David Richards [Subaru WRT - managing director]:
