Loeb Makes Progress in Japan
Citroen's Sebastien Loeb took a step towards clinching his second straight world title by winning stage seven of the Rally of Japan on Friday

The Frenchman won the stage by 11.5 seconds from Subaru's Petter Solberg, his nearest championship rival, to move into second place overall 16.7 seconds behind the Norwegian with two stages remaining of Friday's first leg.
Loeb, who only needs a podium finish in Japan to secure the world title, finished the stage 4.7 seconds ahead of Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm in third.
Subaru's Australian driver Chris Atkinson, who briefly led the rally early on, dropped to fourth.
Loeb, who has won a record eight out of 12 races this year, has 99 points in the drivers' championship with Solberg on 65 and Finn Gronholm on 61.
Loeb's title run-in has been overshadowed by the death of Briton Michael Park, a co-driver for Peugeot's Markko Martin, at last weekend's Rally of Britain.
Park died when their Peugeot skidded off the road at high speed and crashed into a tree during the 15th stage of the race.
The final stages of the race were cancelled and race leader Loeb took deliberate time penalties to ensure he did not win the title in such circumstances.
Standings after SS7: Pos Driver Make Time 1. Solberg Subaru 1:19:21.7 2. Loeb Citroen + 16.7 3. Gronholm Peugeot + 21.4 4. Atkinson Subaru + 47.6 5. Rovanpera Mitsubishi + 1:28.5 6. Galli Mitsubishi + 1:33.8 7. Duval Citroen + 1:45.8 8. Kresta Ford + 2:21.0 9. Carlsson Peugeot + 2:22.9 10. Gardemeister Ford + 2:23.1 11. Sola Ford + 3:16.2 12. Warmbold Ford + 4:21.2 13. Schwarz Skoda + 4:42.6 14. Panizzi Mitsubishi + 5:47.3 15. Crocker Subaru + 8:16.6 16. Nutahara Mitsubishi + 8:22.0 17. Arai Subaru + 9:07.5 18. Kamada Subaru + 9:09.5 19. Teiskonen Subaru + 9:32.1 20. Pozzo Subaru + 9:52.4 All Timing Unofficial
About this article
Series | WRC |
Drivers | Sébastien Loeb |
Loeb Makes Progress in Japan
Trending
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021
He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener
Why Britain's continued WRC absence is a wake-up call
OPINION: With Rally GB dropping off the World Rally Championship calendar for the second year in a row, one of Britain's best-attended sporting events faces an uncertain future. It's an unfortunate situation that points to troubling times ahead