Latvala has first day Mexico Rally lead

LEON, Mexico -- Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala, who made history by becoming the youngest winner of a world championship rally in Sweden, made an early push for victory on the Rally of Mexico on Friday.

After the conclusion of the day's eight stages, Ford Focus driver Latvala led defending world champion Sebastien Loeb of France, in a Citroen, by 9.6 seconds having won three stages.

Latvala is 22.4 seconds ahead of Australian Subaru Impreza driver Chris Atkinson who lies in third spot.

Former world champion Petter Solberg has taken his Subaru into fourth place, one minute 03.8 seconds off the lead, while Latvala's compatriot and teammate Mikko Hirvonen, the world championship leader after two rounds, is in fifth, one minute 09.2 seconds behind the leader.

"I've found a good rhythm and I'm enjoying myself," said Latvala. "My plan is to drive fast but not to take maximum risks -- it's not like Friday in Sweden. Still, we are driving a rally, so I'm not holding back."

The 22-year-old Latvala added he was unconcerned that leading after the first day would put him in the unenviable position of first through the stages on Saturday.

"I don't want to think about Saturday or the rest of the rally too much, but okay, if you lead the rally then you have to be able to drive as first car on the road."

Suzuki's Per-Gunnar Andersson was one of the event's early casualties after his vehicle suffered a piston damage in its engine.

The 27-year-old, who had been sixth at one stage, said his car started to run on three cylinders as it crossed the finish line of stage three. E-mail to a friend