Loeb focused and looking for redemption in Mexico

REIGNING champion Sebastien Loeb is aiming to atone for his error in the last round when the World Rally Championship heads to Mexico.

An uncharacteristic mistake from the Frenchman in Sweden — his 100th rally — resulted in a failure to pick up any points, leaving him trailing BP Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen in the drivers’ standings.

Finn Hirvonen leads the championship by six points from Loeb and his compatriot and team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala after a second straight second-placed finish. Latvala became the youngest winner in the history of the sport by claiming his maidentriumph in Karlstad.

Citroen driver Loeb, who won the season-opening event in Monte Carlo said: “When you make a mistake and drop points, you’re bound to feel a certain amount of pressure at the start of the following event.

“That will probably be the case for me in Mexico, which isn’t a simple event.”

The high-altitude rally — the first of seven consecutive gravel events — is composed of high-speed stages through the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains and plains around the cities of Guanajuato and Leon.

The setting is spectacular, but the altitude provides problems for the cars — the engines suffer a drop in power of approximately 20% due to the thin air — and the abrasive roads will provide a test for the tyres, with the Pirelli Scorpion debuting this weekend.

The 34-year-old Loeb admits he cannot afford to lose further ground to Hirvonen in his bid for a fifth consecutive drivers’ title, but is aware the Mexico rally is no simple proposition.

“After our win last year we know that the C4 WRC is competitive in Mexico but I will still tackle it cautiously because we can’t afford to let the gap with our rivals get bigger,” he added.

The Citroen C4’s new tyres could also be a factor, says Loeb.

“The hard-packed surface generally gives good grip, but it remains to be seen how it goes with our new Pirelli tyres,” he added.

“I will also need to adapt my style to the low engine power in high altitudes.”

Hirvonen is still chasing his first win since succeeding the retired Marcus Gronholm as team leader at BP Ford.

But the 27-year-old is relishing the challenge of leading the field from the front.

“I will attack as hard as I can from the start in Mexico,” said Hirvonen.

“First on the road isn’t the best place to be because there will be loose gravel and stones on the road surface.”