Loeb vows not to back off

Loeb is just one victory away from equalling Carlos Sainz's record of 26 career wins, and with eight rounds left this season, he is set to eclipse that figure.

The Frenchman has promised he will not take a conservative approach to the second half of the year to conserve his 29-point championship lead and ensure he wraps up his third title.

"We're leading both championships and we won five events," Loeb told wrc.com. "I would not have expected better results, but the remainder of the season promises to be very tough. We've seen that when Marcus [Gronholm's] car goes to the end, it's really fast.

"I've just not got to make big mistakes and score good points on most events. But, I want to win more rallies if I can.

"The next two events are Germany and then Finland. Two very different events, but two events that I would love to win for different reasons.

"I want to break Carlos record. Daniel Elena has already broken the co-driver's record this year. So lets' hope we can do it together.

"But I never underestimate the competition's skills and talents. I know all guys who are competing at this level are talented and that their teams would put the maximum efforts forward to make it possible to win - just like we do."

The next round of the championship, Rallye Deutschland, begins on August 11.