Reigning World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb has powered into the lead of Rally Mexico. The Frenchman has won all but one of the day’s stages to pull out a commanding 55.5 second advantage with just over 50 competitive kilometres over three stages left to run on Sunday. Petter Solberg has slipped back into second position and is locked in a battle with third-placed Sébastien Ogier.
Today’s route took in nine special stages, six high in the mountains to the north-east of the rally base in Leon and the remaining three running close to the city. Loeb, benefitting from running third on the road, gained the advantage from the outset and slashed his overnight deficit of 27.4 seconds to 10.7 seconds in the first stage alone. He continued to set the pace, winning nine stages to hold an impressive advantage going into the final day. Petter Solberg, Friday’s leader, struggled running at the head of the field sweeping the roads of loose gravel. He lost his lead on the second stage and has been fighting with Ogier, the rivals swapping positions and split by mere seconds throughout the day. Solberg eventually took the advantage and overnights just 2.7 seconds ahead.
Jari-Matti Latvala continues to lead Ford’s assault but is in a close battle with team-mate Mikko Hirvonen, who has fared better today running further down the field. Both are nevertheless uncharacteristically far adrift of the lead and now just focused on salvaging some points from a disappointing outing in Mexico. Henning Solberg, who has had brake problems during the day, rounds off the top six as others have fallen by the wayside. Matthew Wilson retired from the day when he went off the road and the car was beached on rocks, Dani Sordo and America’s Ken Block were also forced out with broken suspension, all three of them out in the first stage of the day.
Rally Mexico - Results after Day 2
1. Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 3 hr 08 min 49.6sec
2. Petter Solberg/Phil Mills Citroën C4 WRC 3 hr 09 min 45.1sec
3. Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia Citroën C4 WRC 3 hr 09 min 47.8sec
4. Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila Ford Focus RS WRC 3 hr 10 min 33.5sec
5. Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen Ford Focus RS WRC 3 hr 10 min 49.5sec
6. Henning Solberg/Ilka Minor Ford Focus RS WRC 3 hr 11 min 14.8sec
7. Federico Villagra/J P Companc Ford Focus RS WRC 3 hr 18 min 01.4sec
8. Martin Prokop/Jan Tománek Ford Fiesta S2000 3 hr 25 min 17.6sec
9. Xevi Pons/Alex Haro Ford Fiesta S2000 3 hr 25 min 22.4sec
10. Armindo Araújo/ R Miguel Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 hr 26 min 54.3sec
