Belgium's Thierry Neuville took the lead in the Rally of Sardinia on Friday night, building an 11.1 second advantage.
He was intensely pursued by Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala before the fastest time in the final two stages secured Neuville's position.
Latvala had ended the four morning stages eight-tenths ahead of Neuville, and the leader said: "I was helped by the cleaner roads in the morning, but in the afternoon we kept good pace and that increased our confidence."
Sebastien Ogier, the championship leader, began Friday in the lead but fell 40.3 seconds behind after gambling with soft compound Michelin tyres in the cooler temperatures.
Source: PA
