World champion Sebastien Loeb ended day one of the British rally in first place after a puncture cost Jari-Matti Latvala the lead.
After a rain-hit day in the Welsh hills Frenchman Loeb held a 1.8-second advantage over Norwegian Petter Solberg.
Sebastien Ogier was another 1.8 seconds back in third, meaning Citroen drivers occupied the first three places.
Finland's Latvala had carved out a four-second lead after six completed stages but his Ford Focus suffered a rear puncture in the Myherin stage and he dropped down to sixth by the end of the day.
Loeb has already wrapped up an unprecedented seventh consecutive world championship after winning seven of the season's 12 events.
