Citroen factory team driver Dani Sordo was fastest through Friday's opening stage in Portugal to move three places up the overnight leaderboard into the rally lead.
Headed by Sordo, Citroen C4's locked out the top three times through Santa Clara, with Junior team driver Sebastien Ogier his closest rival and world champion Sebastien Loeb third fastest.
Overnight leader Mikko Hirvonen slipped to third after going fourth-fastest in his Ford Focus WRC.
Henning Solberg reported a power steering problem with his Ford Focus WRC, while Ken Block dropped almost minute to the leaders after misunderstanding a pace note.
Stage Times:
Source: WRC
