WRC: turn in Spain

Sébastien Loeb thought he had done the hardest part in Australia. But, after losing the victory due to a penalty (see elsewhere), his second place strengthened Mikko Hirvonen's leadership in the drivers' world championship standings. Also, it was with the obligation to assert himself that Sébastien Loeb arrived in Salou, in Spain.

The pressure will be enormous throughout the weekend on both men. Sébastien Loeb has shown on more than one occasion that he knows he is not sensitive to it, while Mikko Hirvonen has made enormous progress in this area in recent months. If the Frenchman and the Citroën C4 are in the position of favorites in Catalonia, the objective of the chevron firm is to place the cars of Loeb and Sordo in the first two places. The Frenchman would only be one point behind Mikko Hirvonen and could thus get back in front of the Finn in the event of victory in Great Britain, during the final event of the season.

To win a sixth world title, Sébastien Loeb must therefore win the last two Rallies of the season and count on Dani Sordo's second place in Spain. A mission not so easy, as Mikko Hirvonen has displayed impressive consistency this season. Apart from in Argentina, where Ford experienced a lot of problems, the Finn was on the podium each time: once third, four times second and above all four times winner, during the last four events. This season, Hirvonen seems ready to take the top step. He will have the opportunity to prove it this weekend in Spain.