France’s nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb leads the season-opening world championship race the Monte Carlo Rally after the first four specials.

The 38-year-old Citroen driver, who is set to compete in only four races this season, holds a lead of 1 minute 20.3 seconds over compatriot Sebastien Ogier in a Volkswagen, while a second Citroen driven by Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen is a further 26.4 seconds back.

Spaniard Dani Sordo, who is chasing his first ever world championship victory in a Citroen after an astonishing 32 podium finishes, and Finn Jari-Matti Latvala of Volkswagen complete the top five.