Hirvonen, driving for the Ford team, had edged ahead of Ostberg on day two to take the lead. Just 16 seconds separated the first five drivers at the start of day three, but the 30-year-old Finn held on to win the first race of the season by 6.5 seconds.

Jari-Matti Latvala was third, 34 seconds back, ahead of Frenchman Sebastien Ogier and Norway's Petter Solberg.

Seven-time world champion Sebastien Loeb of France finished sixth, two and a half minutes back.