Loeb Thinks Title will have to Wait

Loeb is currently 32 points ahead of Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm and 38 points up on Petter Solberg,­ and with four rounds remaining requires a 40-point lead when he leaves Wales to be assured of this year's title.

That means that if Gronholm finishes higher than seventh, or Solberg finishes second or higher, Loeb cannot win the title this weekend even if he wins his first Rally GB on Sunday.

However, Loeb has vowed to attack the event even if that means he has an increased chance of crashing and damaging his Citroen Xsara and points lead.

"It will be difficult," Loeb said. "I think Marcus will be able to do better than seventh and for me to win here will also be very difficult. Petter will fight and Marcus will fight also.

"For me it doesn't matter, I will just concentrate on my rally and after that we will see what happens. I will try not to think about the championship and take risks like I do on every rally.

"I will try and go fast at the start of the event and if I can fight for the victory I will try and do it. If I cannot perhaps it is better to think about the championship and not take extra risks to try and win and not to lose everything.

"Marcus found better feeling in the car compared with the last few rallies and Francois Duval had a good result last time."

Loeb finished sixth in this morning's wet shakedown session at Filindre, more than three seconds off session-topper Solberg.

"This morning's Shakedown had very difficult conditions," he added. "We expected to have dry conditions but it rained so much. The road will be wet until Saturday and after that we will see."