Loeb wins Mexico Rally

Sebastien Loeb has yet again pushed ahead of Petter Solberg. He was fastest to finish extending his lead by 12.6 seconds over Solberg. Marcus Gronholm came in second between the two, 5.3 seconds behind Loeb.

Solberg suffered brake problems during the race, granting Marcus Gronholm an opportunity of scoring driver's points - a feat that seemed impossible after his wayward driving on day 1.

RESULTS AND COMMENTS

Petter Solberg has interrupted Sebastien Loeb's winning streak, finishing a mere 1.3 seconds ahead of him. The maurauding Frenchman has won six stages straight and remains 49.0 seconds ahead in the overall standings.

Subaru's Chris Atkinson came in sixth fastest after having power steering problems - thought to have been caused by a minor collision with a road car on the section between SS15 and SS16.

RESULTS AND COMMENTS

Sebastien Loeb has won his first rally of the 2006 season for Kronos Total Citroen World Rally Team. In control of the rally for the last eight stages, the Frenchman finished the stage equal third fastest with Henning Solberg (Peugeot) - a mere 0.5 seconds behind stage winner Manfred Stohl. Petter Solberg was 0.1 seconds faster in second.

"This is a difficult rally and I lost a lot of time on the first day," said Loeb. "This is a great win because it's the first for the Kronos team. I'm really happy. For Kronos, it's a big moment."

Loeb won won the rally 48.9 seconds ahead of Solberg; Stohl 4:39.1 off the pace. Upcomer for Citroen Dani Sordo performed steadily all rally to finish in fourth position followed by Irishman Gareth MacHale in his best result yet in a WRC event.

Defending champion Sebastien Loeb overtakes Marcus Gronholm as leader of the World Rally Championship.

RESULTS AND COMMENTS