Sebastien Loeb has claimed his eighth successive World Rally Championship after his closest rival Mikko Hirvonen’s title hopes took a dive when he crashed his car in the Wales Rally GB, the 13th and final rally of the season.

Hirvonen, who was eight points behind Loeb and flying, had just taken the lead in the event by being fastest over both stages five and six when his car hit a submerged branch and was severely damaged. He tried to return to service it in Builth Wells, a distance of more than 100 kilometres away, but failed to get beyond the town of Newtown, later conceding defeat in his crews attempt to get his battered car to Saturday’s start.

In claiming his eighth international motor sport title, Loeb surpassed the seven Formula One championships won by Michael Schumacher.