SS7: Hirvonen stops, Loeb regains top spot in Wales

Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb has reclaimed the lead of Wales Rally GB after Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen hit trouble on the event’s seventh stage.

Hirvonen is understood to have gone off the road in his Fiesta RS WRC damaging a rear wheel and the radiator, which has been punctured by a tree branch.

The Finn stopped at the 10-kilometre point in the stage after the engine began to overheat. Although he managed to reach the stage finish, there is a very real concern within the Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team that he might not be able to complete the 103.62-kilometre road section back to service in Builth Wells.

Hirvonen was almost four minutes slower than Loeb through the stage. His hopes of his first world title are in tatters as a result with Loeb now leading the world championship qualifier by 17.7s from Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala.

“I found it very tricky,” said Loeb. “There was quite a lot of fog and mud so it was really difficult. We had a few moments but finally we are here. Now we have to see what happens with Mikko. Everything is possible.”

Mads Ostberg has moved into third overall despite reporting several moments in his M-Sport Stobart Ford Fiesta due to a lack of grip. The Norwegian was able to move ahead of countryman Petter Solberg when the Citroen privateer dropped time with a puncture.

Kris Meeke has dropped out of contention with an alternator problem on his MINI John Cooper Works WRC. A team spokesperson confirmed he and co-driver Paul Nagle are currently attempting to make repairs in order to return to service.