SS10: Loeb impressed by Latvala pace

World champion Sebastien Loeb admitted he was surprised by Jari-Matti Latvala’s pace on the second run through the 45.97-kilometre El Priorat stage, the longest all-asphalt run in this year’s WRC.

Latvala, in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, was 3.2s quicker than Loeb through the test to trim the Citroen driver’s overall lead to 29.6s with two stages of day two remaining.

“He’s driving fast, it’s surprising,” said Loeb. “I had a good drive, no mistake. For sure I am not here to try everything. I lose some time where drivers from the first loop were cutting the corner. I don’t cut but go in the gravel.”

Latvala said: “I pushed a lot, it was like driving on the race circuit and it felt really good. The car is very good and when we find the set-up I find the confidence.”

While Latvala celebrated his fourth stage win in Spain, Ford team-mate Mikko Hirvonen was far from happy with his performance. “Everything feels okay but the times aren’t getting there,” he said. “I am confused.”

Sebastien Ogier reported his Citroen’s brakes were vibrating during the stage. Nevertheless he still managed to go third quickest, 3.1s faster than MINI John Cooper Works WRC driver Dani Sordo.

Evgeny Novikov completed the stage with a rear-left puncture on his Citroen, which he picked up 10 kilometres from the end of the run. The flailing rubber caused a small fire, which his co-driver Denis Giraudet had to extinguish at the stage finish.

Peter van Merksteijn Jr stopped to change a puncture during the stage.

Standings after SS10: