NEWS FLASH: Loeb out again [updated]

Citroen's Sebastien Loeb has retired from the Rally Japan after he suffered mechanical problems in the penultimate stage of the event.

Loeb, who was already way down the order anyway, following his off on day 2 in SS13, limped through the repeat run through Penke 2, more than 10 minutes off the pace.

However he was unable to do the final test - the fifth run through the Obihiro super special - and as such could not finish.

"Something is wrong with oil pressure. We had a warning light on the road section of the previous stage [SS25]," said the Frenchman post-SS26.

Loeb, who had re-started this morning under the SupeRally format to test some set-up options for Wales Rally GB, was immediately back on the pace, topping the times in four of the five stages prior his issues in the final 'proper' test.

"We are testing some suspensions and anti-roll bars for Rally GB," he confirmed in service G. "When there is no fight it's difficult to know at which pace you are really driving. Plus when you are in SuperRally it is not easy to get motivated. Stages today are more twisty but still very difficult."