SS19: Loeb extends Acropolis advantage

Sebastien Loeb has stretched his lead of the Acropolis Rally with another impressive display in his Citroen DS3 WRC. Loeb, who was fastest through stage 19 by 2.3s, now tops the overall classification by 2m01.2s heading to the mid-morning service halt in Loutraki.

“I started this stage not wanting to lose completely the rhythm,” said Loeb, the winner of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia on eight previous occasions. “But the speed was quite fast so we took it easy again. The feeling is perfect with the car and it’s going well.”

Jari-Matti Latvala, who was fastest on Sunday’s first test, said there will be no more heroics following Ford team-mate Petter Solberg’s crash on the previous run. “There is no point to take any big risks, we need to get the car to the finish,” he said after clocking the third fastest time behind Mads Ostberg.

Mikko Hirvonen was fourth fastest to cement his second position in the overall classification. Thierry Neuville was fifth quickest with Ott Tanak next up.

Crews will have a 30-minute regroup in Loutraki followed by a 30-minute service halt in the town. Stage 20, the second run through Aghii Theodori, goes live at 11:57hrs.