Loeb predicts tough fight in Corsica

Until turbo problems struck in SS5, Gronholm had been leading Loeb by 10 seconds.

"It was not an easy rally," said Loeb, who eventually won by 48.2 seconds.

"Usually on tarmac we are a bit faster than all the others, but this time it was not the same.

"Marcus was really fast. He was a bit unlucky and that stopped the fight.

"Also (Dani) Sordo was fast, so I think in Corsica it could be difficult and very interesting."

Gronholm lost two and a half minutes and fell to tenth when the bolts on his Ford's turbo wastegate worked loose.

He charged back to third place, just 1:45.8 behind Loeb, although he might have been restricted to fourth if Xavier Pons had not crashed out of third on Saturday afternoon.

"I got a bit of help from Pons," Gronholm admitted.

"I was not thinking a podium was possible. I calculated I could maybe get fourth.

"To take six points after the problems is good, because otherwise Seb would have gone so far away (in the championship).

"We still have a chance."

Loeb now leads Gronholm by nine points in the drivers' standings.

Gronholm's team-mate Mikko Hirvonen came back from 14th to ninth after similar turbo problems.

He was delighted with the Ford's performance on asphalt, a surface where Citroen dominated in 2005.

"It looks good," Hirvonen said.

"We have the speed on tarmac now, and the car is very, very fast and the tyres are working well.

"Hopefully our luck will turn and we can finally fight for the podium in the future.

"Bring on Corsica."