Game on in Catalunya

Gronholm posted the fastest time in three of the four first stages, setting up an early lead on the defending champion. But, far from finished, Loeb came back in the fourth to reclaim 1.8 seconds of the Finn's lead.

First and second place holders in the overall competition both went with medium compound BFGoodrich tyres after the morning's early rain - a choice well rewarded when the Catalunyan climate dried up the track.

Gronholm began with good feedback: "The grip is very good on this tarmac. We won't make many changes in the service park because things are working out very well."

After Stage 3, reports varied just a little. "The car performs well but it shakes too much," he said after winning his third stage; pre-empting Loeb's stage-victory to come.

Stage 1 was neck-and-neck between the two for the most part, but Loeb dropped time in the last six kilometres. "I lost the brake efficiency," explained Seb, "[so] I bled the brakes in between the two stages. It was better on the second without however being perfect. Our tyres worked well on this abrasive road surface.

"I'm sure we'll have the chance to score good times, but we have to take into account that Marcus and Petter will be also very fast. I like this rally because it is often clean, not very bumpy and there are a lot of spectators enjoying it. The feeling when driving here is very good."