Fresh from securing a record seventh successive world rally championship, Sebastien Loeb’s bid for a sixth straight Catalunya Rally win started well as the Frenchman took a 3.8-second lead after the first day.

Loeb won three of six stages on the 126-kilometre course, and finished yesterday in a combined 1 hour, 25 minutes, 26.8 seconds.

Sebastien Oger was next for Citroen followed by Jari-Matti Latvala of Ford, who was 19.9 seconds adrift in the mixed surface event.

Kimi Raikkonen did not race after rolling his Citroen beyond repair during the shakedown on Thursday.

Racing continues today with six more stages over 126 kilometers.

Loeb clinched the season title at the last race in France. There remains only the Rally of Wales after Spain.