Loeb marks his territory in Germany

Sébastien Loeb started the day perfectly by achieving three scratch times in a row at the wheel of his Citroën DS3 WRC. The Frenchman's series was interrupted by Jari-Matti Latvala, who took all the risks to beat him in SS4 (Mittelmosel 2) and SS6 (Grafschaft 2). However, the Finn has not been consistent enough since the start of the event and it is his teammate, Petter Solberg who occupies second place in the general classification, 20”4 behind the French driver. Latvala is still in third place, 29” from first place. “ I have to keep attacking if I want to fight with Loeb, explains the Finn. I made a mistake in ES5. It seems like I was too careful, I don't understand why. I was just too slow. »

In Germany, Thierry Neuville wanted to fight for the podium. After six stages, the Belgian is still in the race to finish in the Top 3 since he is only 5” behind Jari-Matti Latvala. “ It's a good day, even if I made a few mistakes, notably stalling in a hairpin, He explains. Throughout the day, I had a problem shifting gears, it cost me a little time, but I am satisfied. »

Absent in Finland, Dani Sordo wasted no time in finding his rhythm on the German asphalt. The Spanish driver took fifth place in the provisional classification during the last special of the day. He is ahead of Finnish Mikko Hirvonen who had a difficult day at the wheel of the Citroën DS3 WRC. Ott Tänak, Mads Ostberg, Chris Atkinson and Sébastien Ogier complete the Top 10 of this first stage of the Rally Germany.