Loeb wins German rally
2010-08-23 09:14
Trier, Germany - World champion Sebastien Loeb edged closer to his seventh consecutive title when he won the German rally on Sunday to extend his lead in the standings.
The 36-year-old Citroen driver led the rally from day one and ended the final "Circus Maximus" inner-city stage in Trier with an overall 51.3-second advantage over fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo from Spain.
"It is unbelievable. To win here for the eighth time is fantastic," Loeb told reporters after the three-day race that included the world championship's longest stage; the 48-kilometre Panzerplatte.
"We never had any problems during this rally. I think I had a perfect race."
Citroen made a clean podium sweep with junior team driver Sebastien Ogier in third place. Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala was fourth and Petter Solberg fifth with his Citroen.
The Frenchman leads the title race with 191 points, 58 ahead of compatriot Ogier in second. There are four more races left with the Japan Rally up next, on September 10-12.
Former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen grabbed victory on the final stage of the race, through Germany's oldest town.
The Finn, world champion with Ferrari in 2007, quit Grand Prix racing at the end of last season to compete in the world rally championship with Citroen.
This was Loeb's 59th world championship win.