Loeb basks in glory

Sebastien Loeb declared his pride at extending his stay among the legends of automobile racing, despite a final race abandon marring his feat of an eighth consecutive world championship title.

Loeb virtually secured his crown on Friday when sole title rival Mikko Hirvonen, of Finland, abandoned on the third day of the Wales Rally GB.

The Frenchman suffered the same fate Sunday, leaving the race following an accident between the 18th and 19th stages to allow an-other Finn, Jari-Matti Latvala, to lead a Ford Fiesta podium sweep on the final day of racing this season.

While cementing his place as rally’s biggest champion, Loeb’s achievement has been heralded by some as the best ever in motor sports – a claim he simultaneously played down and cherished.

“I’m very happy because eight titles is a new record,” said Loeb, who admitted he did not want to be compared to seven-time world Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.

“I don’t want to compare (with Schumacher) but everyone’s talking about it, so I’m proud.

“It’s a very special achievement and the season itself has been special, and also difficult,” added Loeb, for whom Mikko Hirvonen remained a serious threat in the season’s final rally until his Friday setback.

“I had to fight a new challenger at almost each rally. We really had to give it everything, all the time, but once again we’ve come out on top,” Loeb said.