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PARIS - Sebastien Loeb has taken full control of the Monte Carlo rally, clocking the fastest time in all but one of the second day's six timed stages.
Frenchman Loeb, starting his quest for a record fifth world championship, extended his lead with flawless driving on mostly dry mountain roads in the Ardeche region in south-eastern France.
His Citroen team mate and fellow asphalt expert Dani Sordo denied him a clean sweep on Friday with the best time through the day's second section.
Spaniard Sordo, the only driver able to follow the pace set by the title winner of the last four years, was second overall, 56.6 seconds back.
Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, leading the challenge for champions Ford, was third a further 26 seconds back.
"It's been a good day," Loeb told the official world rally website after moving closer to a record fifth Monte Carlo victory.
"The car is perfect and I'm feeling happy driving too. I knew I had to push harder this morning to get a bit of a cushion, but now I'm satisfied with where I am."
Hirvonen, regarded as Loeb's main rival for the title now that fellow Finn Marcus Gronholm has retired, was third fastest in all the day's timed stages but one, in which he was second best just behind Loeb.
The Citroen drivers have won all eight timed stages covered so far between them and look set for a repeat of last year's one-two finish, on the competition debut of the French manufacturer's C4 WRC car.
The winter classic ends on Sunday with a sprint on the harbour section of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.
- REUTERS
