The FIA World Rally Championship leader headed a Toyota Gazoo Racing clean sweep of the top three places in the 0.98km Cosmote 5G Athens Stage, a quickfire blast around the streets surrounding Syntagma Square.

The Frenchman, driving a Yaris World Rally Car, stopped the clocks 0.6sec faster than Elfyn Evans. Kalle Rovanperä, who was quickest during the morning’s Shakedown warm-up, was third, a further 0.2sec back.

"I love Greece. It’s a beautiful country and I’m really happy to come back on these roads,” said Ogier, a winner on his second appearance here in 2011.

The provisional standings can be conducted here.