Loeb aims for four Monte wins in a row

World champion Sebastien Loeb is gunning for a record-equalling fourth Monte Carlo Rally win in a row this weekend with a new team but the same Citroen car.

Only Finland's Tommi Makinen has enjoyed a winning streak longer than the Frenchman in rallying's classic season-opener but Loeb, who dominated last season, is favourite to match Mitsubishi's retired great.

Had he not been demoted to second place for an illegal tyre change in 2002, the Citroen driver would be aiming for his fifth successive win.

"We will try everything to get another win in Monte Carlo, which is an event I really enjoy," Loeb, whose co-driver Daniel Elena comes from the Mediterranean principality, said in a team statement.

His privately-run Kronos team are running three Citroen Xsaras after the French carmaker, like Loeb champions for the past two seasons, withdrew at the end of last year before returning in 2007 with a new car.

Loeb, who won 10 rallies last year, has to wrestle with new rules designed to cut costs by stripping out high-tech electronics but remains the man to beat.

His main rivals will be twice champion Marcus Gronholm, switching from departed Peugeot to Ford, and Norway's 2003 champion Petter Solberg at Subaru.

"Petter certainly has a shot at winning every rally, but our eye will always be on the championship," said team principal David Lapworth on the Subaru website.

"If a win is on the cards in Monte Carlo we will go for it, but if the weather doesn't suit us we'll strategically go for points."

Tyre choices between slicks and studs are critical and usually a compromise, with road conditions switching from dry asphalt to sheet ice and snow in the high Alps.

Forecasts are for dry and sunny conditions over the three days but with snow, some of it shovelled on to the road by spectators, on the spectacular Col de Turini section.

Other drivers to watch include Subaru's Australian Chris Atkinson, starting his first Monte Carlo Rally, and French team-mate Stephane Sarrazin.

France's Gilles Panizzi also has a strong record in the principality, finishing third last year with Mitsubishi. The asphalt ace is driving a privately-run Skoda.

The 18-stage rally starts today, with a 22km run from St Sauveur sur Tinee to Beuil, and ends in Monaco on Sunday.