Intro:

Sebastien Ogier of France won his second consecutive rally world title after victory in the Rally of Spain on Sunday (26 October).

Script:

Sebastien Ogier clinched his second successive World Rally Championship title after taking victory in Spain on Sunday.

The Frenchman's seventh win of the season ensured he retained his title with one race to spare as he stretched his lead to 31 points over Volkswagen Polo R team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala.

Latvala, the only man who could have stopped Ogier taking the title, finished 11.3 seconds behind his team-mate and was ultimately left to rue a poor opening day on the mixed-surface event.

While Latvala had a strong finish on the asphalt, Ogier timed his weekend to perfection, opening up a strong lead on day one on the gravel leg and comfortably holding off the Finn this weekend.

The Frenchman after wrapping up the 23rd win of his career.

It was Volkswagen's 11th victory of the season, which equalled the record set by Citroen in 2005 and 2008.

Mikko Hirvonen claimed the last podium place in Spain, the second time the Ford Fiesta RS driver has been in the top three this season following his runner-up finish in Portugal.

The Finn held off the challenge of Norway's Mads Ostberg and Dani Sordo, who settled for fourth and fifth respectively.