Fourth title for Loeb

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb has clinched his fourth consecutive World Rally Championship with a careful run to third place behind the dominant Mikko Hirvonen and title rival Marcus Grönholm on the Wales Rally. Grönholm (picture) wasn't able to take his third title before retiring.

After winning his most difficult title, Loeb declared: "It's incredible. To get the championship with only four points lead is not the same as getting it with 40 points like some years ago. It's a really, really good moment."

Grönholm said: "I am disappointed of course, but it was a difficult rally this one, and we lost the title in Ireland."