KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Sebastien Loeb started his quest for a record fifth world rally championship by taking the lead after the first two timed stages of the season-opening Monte Carlo rally today.
Frenchman Loeb, who has won the title for the last four years, was second-fastest in the first section of the winter classic, 3.8 seconds behind Citroen team mate Dani Sordo of Spain.
Loeb then took control with the fastest time in the second stage, 16.5 seconds ahead of fellow asphalt expert Sordo who had a problem with damaged headlights.
"I found quite a lot of ice on the first stage so I took it a little easier," Loeb told the official world rally website.
"Dani really wants to win here. I knew that from the start and he's pushing me very hard." Finn Mikko Hirvonen, leading the challenge for champions Ford, was third fastest in both stages in the Drome region in southeastern France.
Loeb, who is also chasing a record fifth Monte Carlo win, will start the second day on Friday 12.7 seconds ahead of Sordo with Hirvonen in third place and 44 seconds behind.
Six timed stages will be competed on Friday on a tricky combination of asphalt, ice and snow.
The rally ends on Sunday with a sprint on the harbour section of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.
- REUTERS
