Loeb not dwelling on Elena error
Sebastien Loeb says that he and Daniel Elena have already put the co-driver's error behind them after failing to score points in Rally Japan
Elena called the wrong pace note heading into a bend during SS13 on Saturday, and Loeb crashed as he approached the turn too quickly.
The pair rejoined the event under SupeRally regulations on Sunday, before oil pressure problems forced them out for good.
Loeb has not lost any ground in the championship with Marcus Gronholm retiring from the event as well, but the Frenchman now has just two rounds to make up the four-point gap to the Finn in the championship.
"After Gronholm's retirement yesterday, even finishing second would have given us enough points to regain the lead in the championship," said Loeb.
"I wasn't taking any undue risks, then, approaching a right-hand corner, Daniel got a note wrong and we were too quick in the turn.
"Daniel and I have already put the mistake behind us, and we are fully aware of the challenge that awaits us if we want to defend our title," he added. "The fight is by no means over and we give it our very best shot on the last two rounds of the season."
Citroen took advantage of the SupeRally rules that allow cars to rejoin the event with time penalties to get some testing in ahead of Rally GB, which will be the season finale.
"We decided to profit from the last day to work on the set-up of our car because the conditions were similar to what we expect in Wales," said Loeb.
"It's a tremendous disappointment of course but we are still in contention for the title, and the idea of now having to win both the remaining rounds is quite stimulating."
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