Loeb: "Only Option is to Attack in Finland"

Only 4 rounds to the finish line in the World Rally Championship, 5-time champion Sebastien Loeb admitted that both him and championship rival Mikko Hirvonen will have to be mistake-free in the upcoming events if they want to win this year's title. Having lost 21 points to the Ford driver in the last 3 rallies, Loeb insisted there's no more room for mistakes in his 2009 campaign.

The Frenchman was very clear on how he stands for the championship race prior to Rally Finland this weekend. A crash would practically end his chances of securing a 6th consecutive title in the WRC, but then again he does have to score more points than Hirvonen until the season finale in Wales.

Under the circumstances, Loeb's only defense of his WRC crown would be going after the win in Finland from as early as Day 1.

“It promises to be a very close and exciting final run-in. It could go either way should one of us fail to finish an event. If that should happen, it will probably be impossible to catch up if the other driver doesn't make any mistakes. One thing which is sure is that a win in Finland would give me a psychological advantage going into the last three rallies,” said Loeb in a preview for the Finnish event this weekend.

“Last year showed that we are capable of matching the Finns on their home event. As I see it, it's as though the championship will be beginning afresh in Finland, and our only option will be to attack,” added the Citroen driver.

Hirvonen is currently leading the championship fight only one point away from Loeb.