For Sébastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena this was their third consecutive win in Spain and their sixth WRC win from 12 rallies. They now close to within six points of FIA WRC Driver's Championship leaders Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen.

Inconsistent weather patterns in the Tarragona Mountains and constantly changing road conditions made tyre choice a lottery and on Friday’s first leg both Grönholm and Hirvonen were on dry-road tyres when the heavens opened on the final stage of the day.

Taking no risks, the Ford Focus RS drivers settled for third and fourth places, to eventually claim their 10th podium finish in 12 WRC rallies run so far.

“Second was the result I really wanted here but that wasn’t to be and I can’t change it,” said 39-year-old Grönholm, who is set to retire at the end of this season.

Phil Mills, from Wales, co-driving with Norway’s Petter Solberg in the Prodrive-prepared Subaru Impreza was sixth overall. Cumbria’s Matthew Wilson in the Stobart-backed Ford Focus RS was 11th.

With four rounds of the WRC remaining, two on closed-roads and two on gravel tracks, there is every likelihood that the overall Driver’s Championship will be decided in Wales.