PARIS, Oct 9, 2008 (AFP) - It's nicknamed the 'rally of 10,000 corners' but a win in this weekend's Rally of France could see Sebastien Loeb turn the last corner in his bid for a fifth consecutive world title.

Loeb, who last weekend put in an imperious drive to take his fourth Rally of Spain in a trot, sits top of the standings on 96 points with rival Mikko Hirvonen trailing by 12 points with three races left.

But despite the team and drivers' championship being within his grasp, Loeb just wants to focus on the race.

'Our position in both championships is positive for the moment, but it will take a favourable scenario for us to sew up one or both titles this weekend,' Loeb told www.wrc.com.

'We will therefore try to put all that to the back of our minds and I intend to focus above all on strengthening our position.'

It has been a strong season for the Citroen driver, who has notched up nine wins and one podium placing to two and seven for Ford's Hirvonen, and all omens look good going into the opening special.

If Loeb wins for a fourth successive Rally of France and Hirvonen finishes lower than sixth, the Frenchman will take the drivers' crown.

It's easy to see why the Rally of France, the 13th circuit in the 15-race WRC calendar, earned its nickname as it winds its way around the tricky surfaces of Corsica.

Drivers have to negotiate the mountain stages, peppered with hairpin bends, and drive along narrow and uneven surfaces at perilously high speeds.

It's not for the feint-hearted - sheer drops into the sea, unpredictable weather and altitude problems all await the field as drivers tackle the 18 stages measuring over 1,000km.

Loeb will not have it all his own way, as Hirvonen on Wednesday said he would do everything to save the championship.

'For sure the Citroen drivers are going to be very fast in Corsica, I think I?ll just need to go there and go flat out,' he said.

'I?ll try not to have any expectations. Before Spain I was quite excited after the test but on Friday nothing seemed to work.'

The flying Finn added he could benefit from some divine intervention to hold off the Citroen cavalry charge.

'It?s definitely going to be difficult, but if something happens - like Loeb?s engine blows up in Corsica - then it?s possible!'