Sebastien Ogier will have to do it the hard way if he’s to claim a sixth consecutive world rally title after the rain set to help him in Coffs Harbour didn’t arrive on Friday.

The Ford driver was forced to lead the way when racing began on the dry and dusty forestry roads and it was no surprise that he sat 10th after the three morning stages as a result.

His lack of grip on the loose gravel as the lead driver showed, the Frenchman 27.6 seconds behind early leader Mads Ostberg after 26 minutes of timed racing.

More importantly though, he is 8.4sec behind title rival Thierry Neuville (ninth overall), who is just three points adrift in the standings and needs to beat Ogier in Australia to claim his maiden championship.

Neuville followed Ogier in Friday’s forestry sections and will repeat the same three stages in the same order on Friday afternoon.

“We were hoping for a bit of dampness but unfortunately it was not (to be),” Ogier said.

“I was pushing hard, I had a good feeling but the road is getting faster and faster with every car.

“There’s not much I can do.”

Citroen driver Ostberg holds a 5.4sec lead over opening-stage winner Esapekka Lappi, while 2016 Rally Australia champion Andreas Mikkelsen was an early casualty.

The Hyundai driver hit a ditch and, despite recovering, pulled over soon after and retired from the third stage.

It was an eventful morning for Mikkelsen, who was forced to overtake a tractor that had inadvertently found its way onto the course shortly before his crash.