SS15: Stage win for Hirvonen

Sebastien Loeb has said that running first on the road on the final day of Neste Oil Rally Finland is beginning to hold him back after Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier trimmed his advantage out front.

Ogier was 0.7s faster than Loeb through Jukojarvi and now trails the seven-time world champion by 9.9s with one stage of Saturday’s opening loop of stages remaining.

“There was a lot of gravel and it was not easy to go fast,” said Loeb. “I really had to push to try to keep the rhythm.”

Ogier said: “It was very good and I’m happy with my drive but Seb is going very well.”

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg, in fourth overall, reported a lack of pace and traction to the extent his margin over fifth-placed Mads Ostberg is now 17.2s.

With stage winner Mikko Hirvonen now 8.9s behind Ostberg in his factory Ford Fiesta RS WRC, the battle for fourth position is set to intensify during the afternoon stages.