Loeb clinches fourth FIA World Rally Championship

Citroen’s Sébastien Loeb has become champion of the world for the fourth consecutive year, after his third place finish on the Wales Rally GB secured the FIA World Rally Championship title in his C4 WRC.

The French ace needed to finish fifth or above to make sure of the crown in the season finale, and a podium finish behind Mikko Hirvonen and title rival, Marcus Gronholm, was enough to wrap it up.

Sébastien, and co-driver, Daniel Elena reclaimed the lead with a victory in Ireland, leaving themselves a six-point cushion going into the Welsh round.

“Of my four titles, this was without doubt the most hotly contested,” beamed Sébastien after the rally. “To have succeeded after such a fierce fight with Marcus on stages across the world gives it a very special flavour. I know Marcus would have liked to end his retirement year by taking the crown, but I’m only half sorry he didn’t!”

Loeb’s Citroen Sport team-mate, Dani Sordo, and his co-driver, Marc Marti, finished Wales Rally GB in fifth place, ending up fourth in the overall championship standings.