Elfyn Evans conceded time to World Rally Championship (WRC) title rival Sebastien Ogier as the Frenchman posted the second quickest time on the opening stage of Rally Saudi Arabia.
Toyota driver Evans was fifth fastest, 0.9 seconds slower than team-mate Ogier and 2.1 seconds behind Ott Tanak who leads the rally going into day two.
The 36-year-old Welshman started the final round of the 14-rally series just three points ahead of eight-time champion Ogier.
“Getting to the end will be one [thing] here, that’s already a challenge,” said Evans, who is bidding to become only the third British WRC winner.
“We’re going to have to drive with our heads this weekend, let’s see how it all unfolds. We’ll be giving it the best we can.”
A third Toyota driver, Kalle Rovanpera, could also win the championship with a 24-point turnaround. He lies sixth, opening four-tenths slower than Evans.
Ogier, who is looking to equal Sebastien Loeb’s record of nine WRC titles, denied he had struck a psychological blow over his team-mates.
“We are grown up enough to know that only tomorrow the real [rally] starts,” the 41-year-old told reporters.
“Here you can only lose the rally, you cannot win it.”
Friday features seven stages starting at 05:08 (GMT), with a further six on Friday and three on Saturday.
A maximum total of 35 points are available to drivers with the leader after stage 14 on Friday picking up 25. The runner-up receives 17, with 15 for third and lesser points for the remainder of the top 10.
There are also two sets of up to five bonus points available over Saturday’s trio of final stages.
Meanwhile Friday’s two Wadi Almatwi stages have been shortened at the request of the drivers.
The test, scheduled to run as stages 11 and 14 of the rally, was due to be 28.59km in length, but the finish will now be after 24.9km, avoiding a section the drivers felt was too dangerous.
Rally Saudi Arabia standings after Stage 1
1. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 3 minutes 53.3 seconds
2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, +1.2secs
3. Martin Sesks (Latvia), Ford, +1.6secs
4. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, +2.0secs
5. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, +2.1secs
6. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, +02.5secs
7. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, +2.6secs
Selected
11. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, +5.6secs
19. Gus Greensmith (Great Britain), Skoda, +13.5secs
FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ standings before Rally Saudi Arabia
1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 272 points
2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 269
3. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, 248
4. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 213
5. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 166
6. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, 111
Selected
11. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, 26
14. Gus Greensmith (Great Britain), Skoda, 14
