German rally: Ogier wins, eyes third title

BERLIN, Germany - Championship leader Sebastien Ogier won the German rally in dominant fashion on Sunday to edge closer to his third consecutive driver's title.

Driving a Volkswagen Polo R, Ogier beat team mate Jari-Matti Latvala by 23 seconds in the vineyard-covered hills hugging the Mosel river in western Germany after also dominating the Panzerplatte military area on Saturday (August 22 2015).

'BIG RELIEF'

The Frenchman, who won the driver's title in 2013 and 2014, was never threatened as Volkswagen completed its set of WRC rally wins since joining in 2013 after becoming the first German car manufacturer to win this round of the championship.

"It's a big relief," Ogier told reporters. "The pressure for a win was on all weekend and we made it with a 1-2-3 and now I am so close to a third title."

Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen finished third, a further 1min33 seconds behind Finland's Latvala, to secure all podium spots for the German manufacturer at its home round.

Next stop is Australia on Sept 10-13.