Citroen's Sebastien Loeb, chasing a record sixth successive rally world championship, seized a slim lead in the title-deciding British event Friday. At the end of the first leg in mid-Wales, the Frenchman and Ford's championship leader Mikko Hirvonen were locked in a private battle with Loeb 5.3 seconds ahead of his rival. Hirvonen has a one-point lead but Loeb has more race victories, meaning the champion has to finish in the points and ahead of the Finn to retain the title. The two title contenders ended the day more than 35 seconds clear of Citroen's third-placed Norwegian Petter Solberg.