Kalle Rovanpera battled through rain and dense fog to guide the Rally of Croatia on Friday because the young Finn seems to keep his lead of the world championship.

The 21-year-old Toyota driving force led after the day’s 8 stages with the Hyundai pair of Thierry Neuville of Belgium and 2019 global champion Ott Tanak of Estonia just behind.

Rovanpera, who won last time out in Sweden, opened the day’s action and swept to victory in six stages.

“Really tough conditions. Even more foggy than during the morning and there was a few kms of full fog,” he tweeted.

“I just tried keep my pace and make no mistakes. We had to have the heater on for mist so it’s quite hot in the car!”

Nine-time international champion Sebastien Loeb, who received the season opener in Monte Carlo in January, and protecting global champion Sebastien Ogier, prepating for the Le Mans 24 Hour Race, aren’t strolling in Croatia this weekend.