Ford Mikko Hirvonen took the lead on Friday afternoon after overtaking Jari-Matti Latvala.

After team-mate Marcus Grönholm had already retired on Friday morning, the task was to keep Sébastien Loeb behind and thereby take points from him in the Drivers' World Championship.

Hirvonen did that with success, he put the three-time world champion under pressure and fought an exciting battle for the top with him.

Loeb was also eliminated after his co-driver Daniel Elena misread a pace note.

Loeb won four special stages on Sunday, after which he finally had to retire due to oil pressure problems.