WRC: Loeb goes top in drivers' championship.

[Rory Phoulorie]

Sebastien Loeb has taken the lead in the race for the 2007 FIA World Rally drivers' championship following the Rally de Portugal at the weekend, the fifth round in the series'.

Loeb took the victory by over 3 minutes in the end, after his nearest rival, Marcus Gronholm, was handed a 5 minute penalty, something that dropped him from second at the finish to fourth. As a result he is now 1 point ahead of the Finn, having notched up 38 points.

"It was pretty much a perfect weekend for us,� said the Frenchman � and that was before the Stewards took the action against the Fords. �My set-up wasn't ideally suited to the terrain during Friday's first loop but we managed to fine-tune the balance and it was much more to my liking after that.

"The recent Rally of Mexico and the testing we have done since also helped us find a good set-up for the C4. Step by step, we are gradually exploiting more and more of its potential. It is as easy to drive as ever and our work, notably on the suspension, has enabled us to improve its traction.

�The change from dry to very wet conditions [on Saturday] didn't pose a problem for us. We were well informed about the changes in the weather and that enabled us to anticipate and make two very good tyre choices. Today's result is also very positive in championship terms."

As for the turning point in his battle with Gronholm, Seb added that the way the second leg unfolded was the key to his 31st WRC win and his third of the season.

�I think I won the rally on Saturday. We had twice some good tyre choices, especially the second time and it let me make the difference,� he explained. �The fight was really close with Marcus. We had to push very hard all the time, so the little mistake from him helped me to take some seconds and an advantage. I was confident but not sure. We are always fighting for the seconds. Sometimes one is taking a little advantage, sometimes the other and it's difficult to know, with 15 seconds. My victory was not secured, that's sure, but it was a good position to win and that's the most important.

�Today, with a 40-second lead, the most important thing was to finish the rally, keep a good rhythm, not make mistakes and that was all; hope not to have problems. That's the thing you think all the last day - but we had no problems.�


http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~4~id~145616.htm

[Plex]

He is a good driver..