Loeb gearing up for Swedish scrap with Gronholm

SEBASTIEN LOEB is predicting a flat-out scrap with world championship rival Marcus Gronholm in a snowy Swedish Rally this weekend.

Loeb has a score to settle with Gronholm, after the Ford star won round one in Monte Carlo to take an early world championship lead.

Loeb could finish only second after a five-minute penalty for crashing on day one but is determined to make up for that this weekend, when he claims he is the underdog.

The Kronos Racing driver said: “The favourite is Marcus Gronholm. I’m dreaming of a straight battle with him this year, in thrilling conditions as they can be on this rally.

“This means sheet ice on the ground with high and thick snowbanks on the side to lean on. As the grip is consistent and excellent, you feel free to push hard and almost over-drive, because you know you can rely on the snowbanks sometimes. I hope for a big fight like that.”

Gronholm, like Loeb a two-time world champion, has an extra reason to push for maximum points in Sweden. The Finn celebrates his 38th birthday on Sunday.

He said: “There’s no doubt the best way to celebrate my birthday would be with champagne on the winner’s podium, but we have a lot of work to do before I can think about that.

“Sweden is the best rally in the championship when the conditions are good. To drive flat out on the snow and ice with such good grip from the studded tyres is really enjoyable.”

Subaru ace Petter Solberg is keen to muscle in on the fight between Loeb and Gronholm for victory, in a rally he won for the first time last year.

Like Loeb, Solberg’s championship quest got off to a troubled start when he retired in Monte Carlo with mechanical problems but the Norwegian is confident he can hit back this weekend.

“At the moment it’s very exciting to see how the car and set-up perform in competitive conditions,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to show how good the car was in Monte Carlo. I hope we have a good chance to get the same result as last year in Sweden. This would just be brilliant, because there will be a lot of people I know and a lot of support from Norway.”