Loeb resigned to Hirvonen

Sébastien Loeb (Citroën C4), sixteen seconds behind at the start of the day, could hope to make up ground on his rival, Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Focus). But the Finn, in SS18, set the best time, gaining seven seconds from the six-time world champion. “ I decided to stop fighting, recognized the Frenchman at the end of the Varmullsasen special. It doesn't change anything to attack. Even at the limit, without making any mistakes, he is as fast as me. I prefer second place. I made a few mistakes and had a few scares. He's too strong here. »

With three stages to go and 23 seconds behind, the French driver can no longer, as usual, catch up with the Ford driver, who has mastered his subject. There are 55 km left to go, the arrival of the last special is scheduled for 13:20 p.m.

Mikko Hirvonen is therefore on the verge of winning the first rally of the season, while Sébastien Loeb started 2009 in the best way with a victory in Ireland before going on to four other successes. The Finn should therefore be the first driver to score 25 points and benefit from the new points allocation system, which rewards victory more.