Sebastien Loeb insists he won’t be backing off despite extending his lead on Neste Oil Rally Finland to 9.3s with three stages remaining.
Loeb was 1.9s quicker than Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen who again lost time on the Surkee stage. The FIA World Rally Championship leader said: “I took some time from Mikko and that’s the goal. But it’s impossible to relax. A nine-second lead in Finland with two long stages in Ouninpohja to come means I have to continue to push. We know Mikko will not give up.”
Hirvonen said: “I’ve lost a little bit but hopefully not too much. There are three stages left so I’m going to fight like hell.”
Jari-Matti Latvala was the fastest Ford driver in second place, 0.5s down on Loeb. Factory Ford team-mate Petter Solberg was fourth quickest.
Jari Ketomaa has slipped more than 44s behind Matti Rantanen in the battle for seventh position after he completed the stage with a punctured front-left tyre. The Finn said he drove for 10 kilometres with the deflation, which he suggested had been caused by striking a rock on the road.
Thierry Neuville reported stalling his Citroen’s engine in the stage, which cost him 10 seconds. He also suggested his car was set up too low to the ground. Meanwhile, Sebastian Lindholm experienced a brake issue on his Fiesta as several drivers reported deep ruts appearing in the stage.