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Mexico City. Six-time world champion Sebastien Loeb took charge of the Rally of Mexico on Saturday, building up a lead of almost a minute after winning all but one of the stages during the second leg.

The Citroen driver started the day in third place, 27 seconds behind overnight leader Petter Solberg, but ended it 55.5 seconds clear of the Norwegian after eight wins from the day’s nine stages around Leon in the central state of Guanajuato.

Just 51.49 kilometers of competitive stages remained on Sunday.

“It was a perfect day,” Loeb told the World Rally Championship Web site. “No mistakes, I was on the limit all the time, trying to increase my lead.

“Now that we have more than 50 seconds it should be perfect, but we have to stay on the road and avoid any mistakes. That’s the plan.”

Former champion Solberg, who drives a privately entered Citroen, was unable to defend his lead after starting the day first and acting as road sweeper for the rest.

“Even the second time through it has been very, very slippery, but I still think we’re doing well,” he said. “Yes, Loeb has taken a lot of time, but we will see tomorrow how we do.”

France’s Sebastien Ogier, who drives for the Citroen junior team, was in third place after slowing deliberately toward the end to ensure he would start behind Solberg on Sunday. He was just 2.7 seconds adrift of the Norwegian.

Ford’s Finnish drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and championship leader Mikko Hirvonen were fourth and fifth, with the former likely to allow his teammate to go past him on Sunday to help him in the drivers’ championship.

Former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen crashed out on Friday.

“I had hoped for some good things from this rally, but it was only my seventh event and I am still learning,” the Finn said.



Reuters