Solberg was fastest on three of today's seven special stages and has a lead of 13 seconds ahead of Finn Sami Pajari, junior world champion in 2021, ahead of Saturday's stage.
- It has been okay.
Pajari has been very fast and chasing me.
Otherwise, I have just driven clean without risks and made no mistakes.
It could be better, but it has been a good day, says Solberg to WRC after the last stage.
The Finn Jari Huttunen is third 35.1 seconds behind and he in turn is overshadowed by the Norman Ole Christian Veiby.
Problems with understeer
Solberg started a bit cautiously on Friday's first leg, but then struck with the fastest time on the following leg and has since lined up top times even though he was not completely satisfied with the car during the morning.
- Nice to be in charge, I'm happy but not completely satisfied.
The car understeers and it is difficult to drive first on the road of the WRC2 cars, Solberg told SVT Sport during the service break at lunch.
SVT's expert Jonas Kruse is impressed by Solberg's start.
- Mature effort by Oliver!
Smart start to the rally by feeling too little on the first stretch of the morning.
Then both quickly and safely the rest of the day despite a car he is not happy with.
I like what I see now from Oliver, calculating and calculating effort that impresses, says Kruse.
And continues:
- Despite being the first car after the WRC cars, which are wider which means he has to track which is not an advantage, he has kept his composure and made no mistakes.
Tomorrow awaits the longest stage of the rally with seven special stages over a total of 126.22 kilometers.
SVT Sport will broadcast live two legs of the Swedish rally tomorrow. SS9 at 08.00 in SVT1 and SVT Play and SS12 at 14.00 SVT2/SVT Play.