SS6: Loeb fastest again

Sebastien Loeb has claimed his third stage victory on ADAC Rallye Deutschland by going fastest on the final stage of day one.

The Citroen driver was 1.8s quicker than team-mate Sebastien Ogier, which means he has extended his overall advantage to 7.4s.

“It’s been a good day for me and I have been pushing very, very hard because Ogier has been pushing everywhere,” said Loeb.

Ogier reported losing vital seconds when he nearly overshot two junctions. Nevertheless he was still 8.0s faster through the stage than Mikko Hirvonen in the leading factory Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg was fourth quickest with Dani Sordo and MINI John Cooper Works WRC team-mate Kris Meeke sharing the fifth fastest time. Meeke could have been faster had a minor engine glitch not caused him to spin at a junction and lose a handful of seconds nearing the end of the stage.

Hirvonen’s team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala suffered further woe when he picked up a right-rear puncture on his Fiesta. Mads Ostberg reported losing the brakes on his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta.

Armindo Araujo damaged a rear suspension arm striking a wall in his Motorsport Italia MINI. The Portuguese nevertheless made it to the finish of the test.

Standings after SS6: