Gronholm led from start to finish for his fifth win of 2006

He now trails the Frenchman, currently out of action with a broken arm, by 25 points with three races left.

Ford team-mate and compatriot Mikko Hirvonen took second with Norway's Henning Solberg in third in a Peugeot.

Britain's Colin McRae, hired by Loeb's Kronos Citroen team to try and peg back Gronholm, retired on the final stage in his first WRC event of 2006.

Between them, Gronholm and Loeb have won every rally this season with the Frenchman, who could also miss the next rally in Australia, taking eight so far.

"It will be difficult, but it's possible," said the Finn of his championship chances.

Gronholm's latest win also moved Ford ahead Citroen in the constructors' championship, and they now lead by eight points.

The remaining events are Australia (27-29 October), followed by the Rally of New Zealand (17-19 November) and the Wales Rally GB (1-3 December).

Rally of Turkey result:
1. Marcus Gronholm (Fin) Ford 3:28:16.300
2. Mikko Hirvonen (Fin) Ford +02:23.400
3. Henning Solberg (Nor) Peugeot 03:06.000
4. Xavier Pons (Spa) Citroen 03:27.400
5. Kosti Katajamaki (Fin) Ford 03:28.500
6. Chris Atkinson (Aus) Subaru 03:36.500
7. Daniel Sordo (Spa) Citroen 04:24.800
8. Manfred Stohl (Aut) Peugeot 04:30.300
9. Francois Duval (Bel) Skoda 05:35.600
10. Andreas Aigner (Aut) Skoda 06:57.400