SS8: Ogier underlines pace

Sebastien Ogier has narrowed Sebastien Loeb’s lead to 3.8s after winning the eighth stage of ADAC Rallye Deutschland.

With a commanding advantage to third-placed Mikko Hirvonen, there has been a suggestion that the Citroen team-mates will hold station. However, Ogier showed no sign of slowing down by setting a time 3.9s faster than world championship leader Loeb.

Ogier would not comment at the stage finish. When asked if team orders were being considered, Loeb said: “It’s the best thing to do in our situation - we are in front of everybody, we took no big risks.”

Citroen group board member Jean-Marc Gales said: “We want to win this rally and get the two cars over the finishing line in first and second place and make one step further towards the World Rally Championship for the brand. In every race there is some point when there is time to say clearly what we want.”

Jari-Matti Latvala was second fastest in his works Ford Fiesta RS WRC in his efforts to regain the time he lost on Friday. “Ogier was really, really quick and I was perhaps too careful in the early part of the stage. My feeling is getting step by step better,” said the Finn.

Latvala’s Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was fourth fastest. He said: “We’ve done some small changes, some damper changes and in some places it doesn’t feel so good but it’s easier. I’m looking at the battle ahead.”

Dani Sordo recorded the fifth quickest time in his factory MINI. “It’s better and better but I don’t know, the part on the gravel was difficult but nice,” he said. “In the hairpin I lost two seconds braking in a bad place but I’m okay, quite happy and the car is good.”

Henning Solberg survived an off-road moment in his M-Sport Stobart Fiesta.

Team-mate Aaron Burkart stopped in the stage fearing a puncture but reported at the end of the stage that he felt as though his car was running on rear-wheel drive only.

Standings after SS8: