Hayden Paddon was fastest through this morning's opening two speed tests at Rally Italia Sardegna to lead the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship by 19.8 seconds.
The Kiwi enjoyed cleaner roads offered by a low start position to win Grighine Sud by 5.3 seconds in his Hyundai i20, before outpacing the field by 11.0 seconds in Grighine Nord.
"It was an advantage," said Paddon. "We were surprised by our speed in SS2 so we calmed down in the next one and didn't take big risks, just following the line. We hit a massive rock in SS2 that pitched us in the air and again in this one, so we were a bit lucky," he said.
Overnight rain left the gravel roads damper and cooler than expected and those who used soft tyres in their selection this morning benefited. One of those was Paddon, who had two softs on the rear of his car.
Second fastest in SS3 promoted Jari-Matti Latvala into second in his Volkswagen Polo R. The Finn admitted he also benefited from the early starters sweeping the roads. "Ogier was suffering no doubt, there is so much loose gravel," he said.
