Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala took control of the Rally of Argentina on Friday, opening up an 18-second lead on Volkswagen Polo teammate and world champion Sebastien Ogier.
Behind the leading pair, Scotland’s Kris Meeke was third in a Citroen DS3 but more than a minute off Latvala’s blistering pace.
Welsh driver Elfyn Evans, in a Ford Fiesta, was fourth, almost four minutes off the lead.
The British pair made the most of mechanical problems suffered by Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen in a Polo and the Hyundai of Belgium’s Thierry Neuville, who had held third and fourth spots respectively until the final stage of the day.
Ogier leads the 2014 World Rally Championship after winning three of the opening four rounds.