Loeb: I had been driving badly

The world champion had established a 36-second advantage over title rival Marcus Gronholm before crashing in SS13.

"I had difficulty finding the ideal pace from the very start," Loeb admitted

"I felt that I wasn't driving well and I had to push myself. It was starting to get a little better, but about halfway into the stage, on a fast portion which I had noted a little too optimistically, I hit the crest a little too fast and the car went light.

"I was no longer on the ideal line for the following right-hander and I had a wheel slightly on the verge. I tried to bring the car back in line but then I hit a big rock with my front left wheel.

"I tried to continue but the wheel ended up buckling underneath the car. I clearly wasn't going any further, so I parked up.

"Ever since the beginning of the weekend, it has been difficult to find the ideal pace for these stages."

Loeb's retirement - and Gronholm's consequent victory - leaves the Frenchman seven points behind the Finn in the drivers' table.

"My error came at the worst possible moment because our lead over Marcus Gronholm should have enabled us to control from in front," said Loeb.

"It just goes to show that winning is never easy and that we are always very close to the limit.

"We still have every chance in the championship, but it won't be easy."

Team boss Guy Frequelin said the incident proved that nothing should be taken for granted in rallying.

"I know what I am saying when I say that an event is never until the finish line has been crossed," he said.

"This incident came at a moment when Seb wasn't even pushing; that's the most frustrating thing about it. But that's rallying and anything can always happen, even to the best of them.

"That doesn't mean that we need to alter the way we operate, though. The points differences are not insurmountable in either championship but it's true that our task won't be easy. It will be up to us not to make any mistakes on the events still to come."

Gronholm said he was relieved to see that Loeb was not infallible.

"I kept the pressure on him this morning and this is a big confidence boost for us in our championship fight," he said.

"It's nice to see he does not drive like a machine all the time!"