Leon: France's Sebastien Loeb, driving a Citroen C4, won the Rally of Mexico, his 55th career world championship victory.
It was the world champion's fourth win in Mexico following triumphs in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Loeb finished ahead of Norway's Petter Solberg and compatriot Sebastien Ogier, both also in Citroens.
They were neck-and-neck in Sunday's closing stages with just 0.6sec separating them ahead of the final super-special in Leon.
Victory gave six-time world champion Loeb a six-point lead in the 2010 championship standings over Mikko Hirvonen, who won in Sweden last time out.
Hirvonen, and fellow Ford Focus driver Jari-Matti Latvala, finished fourth and fifth on Sunday following a race where Citroen dominated the gravel tracks from the start.
Loeb had built up a lead of almost a minute during Saturday's action, and then cruised through Sunday's three stages to finish 24.2sec ahead of Solberg.
"I had a good lead today and was not going to take any risks with that when I started first on the road," said Loeb.
"I was just breezing through the last couple of stages trying to keep my concentration. It's a good victory; I'm back in the lead of the championship and the points we lost in Sweden we've won back - that's important.”
"Okay, it's only the start of the championship but I'm really happy. We had a really good drive yesterday and a good feeling in the car. It’s looking good."
Solberg said he was thrilled with his finish despite having led the race after Friday's opening day.
"I'm delighted but absolutely exhausted," said a Solberg, who achieved his best finish since the 2008 Acropolis Rally.
"After what we've been through last year and this year it’s a hell of result."
Ogier, who was just 1.1sec behind Solberg at the finish, was left to rue his decision to deliberately drop time on Saturday to ensure a better road position on Sunday.
"Of course it's disappointing but it's been a good weekend anyway," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, March 08, 2010, 08:31