Loeb wins fourth Rally of Mexico title

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