HELSINKI, Sept 14, 2007 (AFP) - Two-time world rally champion Marcus Gronholm of Finland confirmed on Friday that he will retire at the end of the season.

Gronholm, 39, won the world title in 2000 and 2002 and is currently leading reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb of France in the drivers' standings in this season's championship.

'Over 20 years of rallying has given me a lot and I've always dreamed of ending my career on its' top,' Gronholm said in a statement.

JYVASKYLA, Finland, Aug 3, 2007 (AFP) - Marcus Gronholm and fellow Finn Mikko Hirvonen took charge of the Rally of Finland on Friday to keep home fans, as well as their Ford Focus team, happy.

With just one super-special stage left to run, Gronholm led his young teammate by 3.8sec with defending world champion Sebastian Loeb, 20sec off the pace in his Citroen.

'We tried to follow the rythm of the Fords. I tried but there was nothing we could do,' said triple world champion Loeb who said he was impressed by the form of Hirvonen.