SS9: Solberg fights back

Ford’s Petter Solberg has increased his margin over third-placed Dani Sordo to 2.4s after beating the MINI driver through the ninth stage of Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Solberg, who has spent the last three seasons competing as a privateer, completed the 25.22-kilometre test in a time of 12m33.2s, which was 1.2s faster than Sordo managed. Afterwards the Norwegian said: “It’s fantastic, I am enjoying so much to drive. It is very difficult conditions and sure we can go quite a lot faster but we still need to learn all the details with the car. I’m happy with my time.”

Out front, Sebastien Loeb continues to extend his advantage after setting the fastest time in his works Citroen. “For the moment I’m happy with the day but there is still one stage to go,” said the eight-time world rally champion. “The feeling was good, the car is perfect so no trouble. I’m trying to keep a very good speed and not to do any mistake - it’s tricky with the mud on the road.”

Russian Evgeny Novikov shone with the fourth fastest time, 8.1s off Loeb’s pace, in his M-Sport Fiesta although he suggested at the stage finish that he still has to improve his driving on his Rallye Monte-Carlo debut. He is now 9.4s behind fourth-placed Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen who was 2.7s slower than Novikov.

Novikov’s team-mate Ott Tanak recorded the sixth fastest time in his Fiesta, completing the stage in 12m47.4s. Corsican driver Pierre Campana said he was extra cautious in the muddy sections in his factory MINI. He was 0.8s faster than MINI privateer Armindo Araujo from Portugal.

Henning Solberg completed the previous test with sparks trailing from his Go Fast Energy Fiesta. He reported no problems on this stage, however.