Loeb braced for Solberg fight back

Sebastien Loeb still fears Petter Solberg in the battle for second place on Wales Rally GB, round 10 of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Loeb, in a factory Citroen, is 2.9s in front of his Ford-driving rival starting Sunday’s final trio of stages.

“We are now in front of Petter but it’s not finished,” said Loeb. “Since the start of the rally we struggled in the afternoon when the morning has always been okay. The stages are better for our car today because we have a bit more grip.”

Solberg admitted Loeb has been faster than him this morning but hopes set-up changes in service will boost his speed this afternoon.

“I didn’t get the full rhythm, Sebastien is faster for sure and I made a mistake on the jump on the last stage when the tyre came off the rim,” said the Norwegian. “It’s not a lot, just a little bit but we will do a set-up change now and we will be faster for sure. I would be happy with third from Ford’s point of view but I want to be second. It will be a close fight.”