Loeb regains lead with seventh German title

Sebastien Loeb comfortably wrapped up his seventh straight Rally of Germany title yesterday to put himself back on track for a record fifth consecutive world drivers' championship.

Loeb, 34, completed the 19-stage event in three hours, 26 minutes, 20.3 seconds to finish 47.4 seconds ahead of Citroen team-mate Daniel Sordo. The Frenchman's victory lifted him back on top of the drivers' standings, four points clear of former leader Mikko Hirvonen, of Finland, with five rallies remaining.

Hirvonen ended the rally in fourth place, 1:19.7 adrift of Loeb, after failing to close the gap on third-placed fellow Ford driver François Duval.

"It was a perfect rally for me but Mikko has become a lot stronger on asphalt," said Loeb who has won every Rally of Germany since the race's inclusion on the world championship circuit in 2002.

"This result does not mean the title is already decided."

Loeb was able to cruise to victory on the event's final day, detuning his engine after building up a 40.3-second lead over Spain's Sordo following the first two days of racing.

The two Citroen drivers eased off through yesterday's five stages, culminating in a sprint through Trier's city centre, leaving Belgian Duval and Hirvonen to battle it out for the last podium place.

Stobart Ford asphalt specialist Duval, who held a 3.9-second lead over Hirvonen at the start of the day, set the fastest time in the four opening stages to end the rally nine seconds clear of his Ford Abu Dhabi rival.