Jari-Matti Latvala will take a 9.1sec lead into the final day of his home rally after pulling away from Petter Solberg in Finland this afternoon.
The Ford driver had taken the lead from Solberg early in the new-style event's second loop, which featured six stages and only a refuel rather than a full service in the middle.
Sebastien Ogier is still the top factory Citroen driver in third, with Sebastien Loeb 10.2sec behind his new teammate following his morning problems. Dani Sordo – transferred to Citroen Junior with Ogier's promotion to the top team – has fallen away in fifth place, confused by his relative lack of speed this afternoon given his strong start to the event.
With Mikko Hirvonen, Henning Solberg and Khalid Al Qassimi all having rolled their Fords into retirement today, and with Mads Ostberg's Adapta Subaru delayed by a puncture, Juha Kankkunen is a superb seventh in the second Stobart Ford on his return to the World Rally Championship after an eight-year absence.
The four-time champion has a 7.5sec cushion over fellow local hero Kimi Raikkonen (Citroen Junior) and is 35.4sec behind his Stobart teammate Matthew Wilson in sixth.