Loeb claims 3rd straight Wales Rally GB title

World champion Sebastien Loeb won his third straight Wales Rally GB title Sunday by finishing 19.1 seconds ahead of Petter Solberg in the season's final event.

The French driver, who was already assured of a seventh world title, began the day with a lead of 4.8 seconds over his Norwegian rival and extended his advantage in all four stages Sunday to claim his 62nd career win and eighth this season.

Citroen driver Loeb says ''it was definitely the longest battle I've had this season.''

Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala came third in the stage to snatch second place overall, two points ahead of Solberg, and teammate Mikko Hirvonen was fourth.