Sebastien Ogier claimed a fifth WRC win of the 2016 season at the Rally Catalunya on Sunday to wrap up a fourth world title in succession.
Since the semi-retirement of nine-time champion Sebastien Loeb in 2012, Ogier has dominated the sport and that shows no sign of abating after he sealed another world championship.
The Volkswagen driver was well placed after the opening two days in Spain but came to the fore on Saturday with five consecutive stage wins – a run that saw him usurp Dani Sordo at the summit.
Sordo had led by 17 seconds after day two but by the end of the 15th stage, once the rally switched from gravel to asphalt on Saturday, it was Ogier who hit the front.
Victory on stage 16 provided the perfect start to Sunday for the Frenchman as his lead increased to 8.4 seconds, and as Sordo struggled that advantage only grew.
At the end of stage 19 the 32-year-old had a 15.6-second winning margin from Sordo, with Thierry Neuville completing the Catalunya podium.
Ogier's win sees his championship lead reach an unassailable 95 points from team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen with only three rallies remaining, enabling the Frenchman to enjoy a double celebration.
"It's been a tough season but fantastic," said an ecstatic Ogier after celebrating on the roof of his Volkswagen with co-driver Julien Ingrassia.
"Thank you so much to the team! We have had the perfect car all weekend. I had so much fun behind the steering wheel.
"I had to think a lot about this stage, after last year, but it's been fantastic."
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