Citroen are sorry for Loeb's loss

Olivier Quesnel, Citroen Racing chief, has apologised to his lead driver Sebastian Loeb after what he described as an "administrative error"' cost the Frenchman victory at Rally Australia and put a severe dent in his World Rally Championship (WRC) title hopes. The five-times champion had finished 12.5 seconds ahead of championship rival Mikko Hirvonen, a BP Abu Dhabi Ford driver.

Stewards put paid to Loeb's celebrations, however, after a post-event decision saw the final one-two reversed and Hirvonen crowned the winner. A one-minute penalty was handed out to the three Citroen C4 WRC drivers, who all finished in the top four in Kingscliff, after stewards ruled anti-roll bar links fitted to each car were too long and failed to conform to Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) technical configurations.

Quesnel was quick to distance his team from any allegations of cheating and apologised to Loeb and his teammates. Loeb would have closed the gap on leader Hirvonen to one point whereas it has been extended to five. "We accept the decision given that the photo on the homologation form does not match the part fitted to the car," said Quesnel. "The difference had no effect on either the performance or reliability of the car: it was simply due to an administrative error and does not stem from any desire to cheat.

"On behalf of the team, I would like to apologise to Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena who scored a superb victory on the stages this weekend." Had the result stood, Loeb's 53rd career win, and the team's first since Rally Argentina in April, would have moved him within touching distance of Hirvonen with two rallies left. The stewards ruling also dropped Sebastien Ogier into fifth place, behind Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala. Citroen's Dani Sordo stayed in third and occupies the same spot in the drivers' standings.

"I am obviously disappointed, but you've got to accept it when the regulations are applied," said Loeb. "I now have a five-point deficit to make up. That clearly complicates matters regarding our bid to win a sixth title, but this won't have any effect on our determination to win in Spain." The championship moves to Salou for the Rallye de Espana from October 2-4, before Wales plays host the season-finishing Rally Great Britain from October 23-25.

Hirvonen was disappointed the race was won in such a manner. "It's a shame that after such a thrilling battle for three days the result of the rally is decided in the stewards' room," he said. "I suffered a points loss in Portugal two years ago, so I know how Sebastien, in particular, must feel. This decision has a major effect on the championship standings and we now go to Spain with a five-point lead."

The 10th round of the World Championship had already been subject to controversy earlier in the event, as environmental protesters threw stones at cars and forced the cancellation of two stages. @Email:[e-mail] The green debate is a grey area, s8-9