Loeb wins Wales Rally to capture 6th world title

CARDIFF, Wales \— Sebastien Loeb of France has captured his sixth world title by winning the Wales Rally, the final race of the season.

Mikko Hirvonen led by one point going into the weekend, but the Frenchman finished the season one point ahead of the Finn after opening up a big lead on Friday in his Citroen and taking a 30-second advantage into the final race on Sunday. Hirvonen, driving a Ford Focus, finished second on the day, 1 minute, 6 seconds behind.

Loeb’s victory was his seventh in 12 races this year and his 54th overall.

He finished with 93 points. Dani Sordo of Spain was third with 64.

Sunday at Cardiff, Wales

After 16 of 16 stages

1. Sebastien Loeb, France, Citroen, 3 hours, 16 minutes, 25.400 seconds.

2. Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, Ford, 3:17:31.500.

3. Daniel Sordo, Spain, Citroen, 3:17:32.500.

4. Petter Solberg, Norway, Subaru, 3:17:53.500.

5. Henning Solberg, Norway, Ford, 3:22:53.400.

6. Matthew Wilson, Britain, Ford, 3:24:11.400.

7. Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, Ford, 3:28:37.300.

8. Conrad Rautenbach, Zimbabwe, Citroen, 3:30:53.200.

9. Eyvind Brynildsen, Norway, Mitsubishi, 3:38:48.100.

10. Armindo Araujo, Portugal, Mitsubishi, 3:40:44.200.

Drivers Standings

1. Sebastien Loeb, France, Citroen, 93 points.

2. Mikko Hirvonen, Finland, Ford. 92

3. Daniel Sordo, Spain, Citroen, 64.

4. Jari-Matti Latvala, Finland, Ford, 41.

5. Petter Solberg, Norway, Subaru, 35.

6. Henning Solberg, Norway, Ford, 33.

7. Matthew Wilson, Britain, Ford, 28.

8. Sebastien Ogier, France, Citroen, 24.

9. Federico Villagra, Argentina, Ford, 16.

10. Conrad Rautenbach, Zimbabwe, Citroen, 9.

Manufacturers Championship Standings

1. Citroen, 167 points.

2. Ford, 140.

3. Stobart, 80.

4. Citroen Junior, 47.

5. Munchi, 23