Defending champion Sebastien Loeb held the lead in the Monte Carlo Rally after two of four stages.
The French eight-time winner heads Spain's Dani Sordo by two and a half minutes with Petter Solberg of Norway in third place.
The remaining two stages on Saturday will take place after dark.
Positions after SS15:
Driver Team/Car Gap
1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen
2. Dani Sordo Mini + 2m30.7s
3. Petter Solberg Ford + 3m10.6s
4. Mikko Hirvonen Citroen + 3m41.1s
5. Evgeny Novikov M-Sport Ford + 5m13.2s
6. Francois Delecour M-Sport Ford + 6m49.3s
7. Pierre Campana Mini + 8m05.6s
8. Ott Tanak M-Sport Ford + 9m18.0s
9. P-G Andersson Proton + 15m00.4s
10. Martin Prokop Czech Ford + 15m22.3s
Reuters