4 Oct 2013

Ogier wins rally championship

9:36 am on 4 October 2013

The French driver Sebastien Ogier has clinched his first world rally title, succeeding compatriot Sebastien Loeb who won the past nine championships.

Ogier, in a Volkswagen, wrapped up the crown in the opening Power Stage on the first day of the Rally of France.

He was assured of the title when Belgium's Thierry Neuville, the only man who could delay the celebrations, managed just second place on the stage which was won by Spain's Dani Sordo.

Ogier was third while Loeb, who has raced in only four events in his retirement season, was down in seventh spot.

Neuville needed to take the three points on offer to the winner of the Power Stage to keep alive his slim hopes of snatching the title.

But he now stands 82 points behind Ogier with just 81 points on offer in the last three races -- in France, Spain and Great Britain.

Ogier capped a fine first full season in the world rally championship for German manufacturer Volkswagen.