( CNN ) -- Normal service resumed for champion Sebastien Loeb as he began his quest for a ninth straight world rally championship title by taking the overnight lead at the Monte Carlo Rally . Loeb , from France , had been trailing rival Jari-Matti Latvala by 30 seconds going into the final stage of Wednesday 's race but the Finn crashed and rolled his Ford , forcing him to retire . Dani Sordo , driving for Mini , took second despite damaging his suspension during the morning stage -- known as a 'special . ' The Spaniard is one minute and four seconds behind his French rival . Monte Carlo is the first stop on the world rally championship circuit , which features 13 separate races around the globe and runs until November . Loeb has won a record eight straight titles , all for Citroen , and he was quickest in three of the four specials . His Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen collided with a wall and sustained damage to one of his brakes , while Ford 's Petter Solberg decision to use his snow tires meant he ended the day in third place , a second behind Sordo . A total of seven former world champions are part of the field for the 2012 installment , while Monte Carlo was hosting the world rally championship for the first time in three years . There are six race stages on Thursday .
Sebastien Loeb leads the world rally championship after day one in Monte Carlo . The Frenchman , who drives for Citroen , is over a minute ahead of Dani Sordo in second . Loeb is gunning for his ninth straight world rally championship title .