Citroen team boss Olivier Quesnel says he feels that Sebastien Loeb's experience could be the deciding factor in the fight for the World Rally Championship title.

Loeb heads into the final event of the season in Wales trailing Mikko Hirvonen by just one point, and need to finish ahead of his Ford rival to secure a sixth consecutive title.

The Frenchman will run behind Hirvonen on the road during the opening day of the event, which Quesnel said could be a key factor as the Citroen ace will then be able to adapt his driving depending on the performance of the Ford driver.

And Quesnel also said he felt that Loeb's past record could give him the edge over Hirvonen as the Finn looks to take his first crown.

"In the past two years, Mikko has shown that he is perfectly capable of holding his own,” he said. “He is not fazed by pressure; he is another 'Iceman'.

“His handicap, though, is the fact that he has never been World
Champion. With five consecutive titles and 53 WRC wins to his name, Sebastien is accustomed to this sort of situation. He fears no one!

“In Wales, he will also have the advantage of running just behind Mikko in the order to begin with, and I believe it is effectively preferable to be the hunter rather than the hunted in this sort of situation.

“Mikko will have to choose between hitting the ground running or taking time to bed himself in. Seb will be able to adapt as a function of that choice…"