NASCAR Cup Series

Loeb wins 7th straight rally world title

Published Oct. 3, 2010 4:51 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Sebastien Loeb clinched a record seventh straight world championship title after winning the Rally of France on Sunday.

The Citroen driver has an insurmountable lead in the overall standings with two rallies remaining.

''This is the best thing that ever happened to me in my sporting life,'' Loeb said after sealing his win on a stage in his Haguenau hometown. ''I could never have imagined racing here and winning.''

The Rally of France was held on the island of Corsica for 35 years before moving to the Alsace region in northeastern France this year.

''It's unbelievable to become world champion at home, in front of all those people,'' said Loeb, who claimed a record 60th rally win. He has three more world titles than Finnish drivers Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Makinen.

On treacherous and muddy roads, Loeb dominated from the start and finished 35.7 seconds ahead of Citroen teammate Dani Sordo.

Loeb's hopes of winning the title were boosted Saturday after Sebastien Ogier, then his closest rival in the standings, broke his suspension and lost 10 minutes.

Sunday's special stage was canceled for safety reasons after fans packed along the roadside.

''This is fantastic,'' Loeb said. ''I didn't expect so many people to be here.''

Citroen also has an insurmountable lead in the manufacturers' championship, giving him the title for a sixth consecutive year.

''Sebastien was in imperious form and won the title for the seventh straight time, and we won it six times in a row, this is crazy,'' Citroen Sport boss Olivier Quesnel said.

Petter Solberg of Norway finished third in his private Citroen, 1:16.8 back. Ford drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen were fourth and fifth.

Ogier trails Loeb by 60 points in the overall standings, with Solberg in fourth place just 11 points behind third-placed Latvala.

''This third place is good for the championship and I think I will be dangerous in Spain,'' Solberg said.

The Rally of Spain will be held from Oct. 22-24 before the last race of the season next month in Wales.

share

Get more from NASCAR Cup Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

NASCAR Cup Series