Sébastien Loeb joined an elite club when the Frenchman claimed his fourth successive FIA World Rally Championship Driver's title by finishing third on the Wales Rally GB won by Mikko Hirvonen.

Hapton driver Daniel Barritt missed out on the event due to finances.

Loeb, 33, becomes only the third driver to win the World Rally Championship "crown" four times in the 34-year history of the WRC and equals Tommi Mäkinen's record of four consecutive Driver's titles.

"This was definitely my hardest battle for a World title," confirmed Loeb who climbed onto his car's roof at the finish line.

"When I started 10 years ago I had nothing and now I have four World titles.

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

The Citroën C4 driver began the three-day, 787-mile WRC finale only needing to finish sixth and was content to allow Hirvonen to cruise to a comfortable maiden Rally GB victory and stalk the Finn's BP Ford World Rally Team-mate Marcus Grönholm.

Grönholm led the WRC since May but crashed out of the previous two events in Japan and Ireland enabling Loeb to snatch the series lead after victory in Ireland two weeks ago to take the initiative starting the 17-stage Cardiff-based event.

"I am disappointed, of course," reflected a crestfallen Grönholm. "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.

l Guy Wilks, 26, won the Production Car World Rally Championship class award.