Fourth title for Loeb

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The French Citroen C4 driver finished just four points above Finland's Marcus Gronholm, who took second place in Wales behind compatriot Mikko Hirvonen.

He said: "It's a very good feeling to win this year as I've had a very hard battle with Marcus all season. To win by four points is a really good moment for me."

Loeb, 33, equalled Tommi Makinen's record of four consecutive driver's titles and admitted: "This was definitely my hardest battle for a world title. When I started 10 years ago I had nothing and now I have four world titles."

The Citroen driver began the three-day, 787-mile championship finale needing only to stay in touch with the leaders and was content to allow Hirvonen to cruise to a comfortable maiden Rally GB victory and stalk the Finn's BP Ford team-mate Marcus Gronholm.

Gronholm had led the WRC since May but crashed out of the previous two events in Japan and Ireland - where Loeb was able to snatch the series lead with victory two weeks ago.

"I am disappointed, of course," reflected a crestfallen Gronholm. "I lost the title in Ireland. Will I come back? No, I've had enough."

The 39-year-old Finn ultimately finished a frustrated second in Wales and in the title race - 15.2-seconds behind Hirvonen this weekend with Loeb a further 77.8secs back.

Gronholm, who now retires, had needed to record a third career Rally GB victory in what was his 150th WRC event to have had any chance of winning the World Championship for a third time.