As usual, the Rallye de France is providing some surprises, best of which is the fact that the top two positions aren’t held by drivers named Loeb or Solberg. In fact, Ford is finally showing some speed, with Francois Duval and Markko Martin holding the top positions going into day two. Sebastien Loeb has picked up the pace, and is in third place, just over 30 seconds behind Duval. Carlos Sainz is in fourth, another 20 seconds or so behind Loeb. Marcus Gronholm is fifth, another twenty seconds adrift. The biggest surprise is Petter Solberg, who is clinging to seventh. Solberg hasn’t had any pace today, and he blamed his poor start on a bad tyre choice. His championship defense could be on its last leg, unless things go all wrong for Loeb.

Posted on 15 October 2004