Motorsport: Ogier claims fourth world title in Spain

Sébastien Ogier secured his fourth consecutive FIA World Rally Championship title by winning Rally Spain overnight.

He became the fourth driver to claim a quartet of titles after overcoming local hero Dani Sordo to win the only mixed surface event in the calendar by 15.6sec in a Volkswagen Polo R. Thierry Neuville claimed the final podium place, a further 59.4sec behind.

New Zealand's Hayden Paddon has finished fourth, almost a minute and a half behind Ogier, to remain fourth overall.

Paddon says he could have been on the podium if it hadn't been for a poor first day.

He says fourth is still a good result and to have three Hyundai cars in the top four is great reward for the team.

Sordo led this 11th round of the season in his Hyundai i20 after the muddy opening leg in the hills above the Costa Daurada, near Salou. Ogier came into his own when the event switched to asphalt, taking a string of stage wins to move into the lead.

He sealed the win, and the championship, on the same piece of road on which he crashed out of the lead 12 months ago when just a few kilometres from victory. It was tyre company Michelin's 300th WRC success.

"It's fantastic to take the championship two rallies before the end of the season, I couldn't do much more," said Ogier. "I had so much fun behind the steering wheel this weekend. Joining the list of big names who are four-time title winners is just amazing."

Understeer problems hampered Sordo once the event moved to gravel and he was powerless to fend off a rampant Ogier. However, he did enough to take his second runners-up finish in three rounds.

Team-mate Thierry Neuville moved level with Andreas Mikkelsen in second place in the championship after completing the podium. The Belgian also suffered handling issues in his i20 but was secure in third after Mikkelsen rolled heavily on Saturday afternoon.

Rally Great Britain is in Wales next week before the WRC season concludes in Australia next month.