Joona overcomes issues to build healthy WRC3 lead

The FIA Junior WRC regular reported a peculiar feeling from his Ford Fiesta Rally3's steering on the opening loop but it did not stop the Finnish local from arriving at the first service with a 12.7sec advantage over series debutant Toni Herranen.

Leaving Jyväskylä with a new steering rack installed, Joona pushed ahead and stretched his lead to 17.0sec before heading into the final loop to the west of the rally's base. Rain in the evening's speed tests failed to deter Joona’s surge and he claimed four straight stage wins to complete the day.

"The power steering issue was caused by a broken bracket, but we found it and luckily we are here," Joona told WRC.com.

"The rest of the day went quite well. We didn't make any mistakes and we found a comfortable set-up with the car," he added.

Rounding out the all-Fiesta top three was Jan Černý - the other driver to take a stage win. He completed the action-packed leg 1min 10.9sec adrift of the lead.

Henri Timonen completed the leaderboard in fourth overall, while Tommi Heino was forced to retire due to front-end damage sustained in a crash on SS3.

• Full coverage from Secto Rally Finland is available on WRC+ All Live here, including every stage broadcast as it happens as well as key interviews, features and expert analysis from the service park.