SS16 : Loeb back in control

Mikko Hirvonen’s bid to catch Sebastien Loeb on Rally d’Italia Sardegna has suffered a minor setback when he overshot a junction on Sunday’s second stage.

Ford driver Hirvonen had narrowed Loeb’s lead on stage one but reported losing a few seconds when he ran wide. “It was an overshoot on a junction and maybe I lost two or three seconds,” said Hirvonen. “If nothing happens Sebastien is a bit too far in front. I have to watch what is happening behind.”

Loeb admitted to pushing too hard at the start of the stage and opted to take fewer risks during the closing stages of the test.

“The splits are looking good to Mikko. We were pushing too hard at the start and had a few moments. Sometimes the rear was a little bit in the ditch and you never know if there is a stone. We chose not to take so much risk.”

In the battle for third Citroen privateer Petter Solberg has closed to within 4.1s of current third-placed driver Sebastien Ogier. The Norwegian has vowed to go flat-out on the final two stages in his efforts to land his first podium of 2011.