Yes but on the first stages he was 2nd even when opening the road, really can't remember without searching when he was fighting at the top on a similar rally afterwards.
Granted, the fact that he usually opens the road on these affects the perceived speed.
Most of that second place was due to good performance on Harju. SS2 5th, SS3 10th. And for example SS2 winner Suninen wasn’t fast on Harju.
The main thing is that a global series like WRC can not live without manufacturer's money and big sponsors bound to them. Privateers can't fund the series as it is. That is simply impossible.
He's done a run now, as has Suninen. Both a few secs behind the leading WRC2 times.
[WRC] Vodafone Rally de Portugal...