SS11: Loeb into second with fastest run

Sebastien Loeb has demoted Petter Solberg into third place on the Acropolis Rally by winning his second stage of the world championship qualifier.

The seven-time world title winner is now 11.3s behind overall leader and Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier with two stages of day two remaining.

“It was very hard for the tyre and we had to push very hard because Ogier is pushing hard,” said Loeb. “I tried to have a good start in the stage and I am happy to be here because this stage was really hard for the suspension and for the tyres.”

Ogier said: “We try, it’s not a bad stage. It’s okay, we didn’t have a good start on thi stage like this morning and I don’t know why.”

Solberg, who is now 13.3s adrift of first place, said: “It’s impossible for me to push harder now. I try absolutely everything now but it’s impossible to do more. That’s it.”

Factory Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen remains in fourth but is now 28.8s shy of third place. “I tried but it was rougher than in the morning but there were no big hits, no worries,” said Hirvonen. “Sebastien’s time is a bit of a scare though.”

Ex-Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen reported adopting a slightly slower pace after a few heavy impacts with some rocks but he reached the end of the stage with his Ice 1 Racing Citroen intact. The Finn is seventh behind M-Sport Stobart drivers Henning Solberg and Matthew Wilson.

Standings after SS11: