Monaco - Nine-times world rally champion Sebastien Loeb of France won two of Friday's three stages to take extend his overall lead on the third day of the Monte Carlo Rally.
Loeb, competing in one of only four races he will contest this season after going into semi-retirement, has won six of the past seven Monte Carlo Rallies and looks set for another win. The Citroen driver leads countryman Sebastien Ogier by 1 minute, 47.4 seconds.
Loeb won stages one and three to add 13 seconds to his overnight lead over Ogier, who also drives a Citroen.
Norway's Mads Ostberg won the other stage of the day.
The 38-year-old Loeb won't secure a 10th straight world title as he will race only in Sweden, Argentina and France this year after Monte Carlo.
Standings after Friday's stages in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally:
1. Sebastien Loeb (FRA/Citroen DS3) 4 h 16:41.9, 2. Sebastien Ogier (FRA/Volkswagen Polo-R) at 1:47.4, 3. Evgueny Novikov (RUS/Ford Fiesta RS) 3:19.9, 4. Dani Sordo (ESP/Citroen DS3) 3:21.6, 5. Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN/Volkswagen Polo-R) 4:04.9, 6. Mikko Hirvonen (FIN/Citroen DS3) 4:19.1, 7. Juho Hanninen (FIN/Ford Fiesta RS) 5:15.5, 8. Mads Ostberg (NOR/Ford Fiesta RS) 6:18.2, 9. Bryan Bouffier (FRA/Citroen DS3) 8:20.7, 10. Martin Prokop (CZE/Ford Fiesta RS) 18:48.8
Retirements:
Thierry Neuville (BEL/Ford Fiesta RS)
Stage winners:
Loeb 7 (SS2 to SS4, SS8, SS10, SS11, SS13), Ogier 2 (SS1, SS5), Novikov 2 (SS6, SS7), Hanninen 1 (SS9), Ostberg 1 (SS12)
Note: Final five stages will take place on Saturday