SS3: Loeb snatches Germany lead

Normal service has resumed on ADAC Rallye Deutschland after Sebastien Loeb moved into the lead of the asphalt event, which he has won on the last eight occasions.

Loeb, whose advantage over Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier is 4.4s, said: “I am quite surprised with the speed because it was full dry and we had the soft tyre in that stage. It was a risk with the tyre choice and I expected to lose some time in the stages where it was not raining. Finally I think we have done a good choice but we have a big race with Sebastien Ogier.”

Mikko Hirvonen was far from happy at the end of the stage in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, despite going faster than Ogier. “I think the rear roll bar is broken, it feels really funny,” he said.

Asked to explain his time loss in comparison to Loeb, Ogier said: “I think I had a bad tyre choice on this one, that’s why.”

Jari-Matti Latvala completed the test with a right-rear puncture on his Fiesta. “I think we have lost a good result now but let’s see what we can do,” said the Finn. “It was in the middle of the stage where we got the puncture, it was a slow puncture.”

Mads Ostberg stopped approximately three kilometres from the finish of the stage in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta to repair damaged suspension following an off.

Dani Sordo is up to an impressive fourth overall in his MINI John Cooper Works WRC. “I try and I push really hard in this stage, which I like a lot,” said the Spaniard afterwards. “I’m happy but we see later.”

Crews are now heading back to the Messepark in Trier for the first service halt.

Standings after SS3: