Sébastien Loeb became world champion for the fourth time in a row.

Loeb started the last world championship race of the season six points ahead of his rival Marcus Grönholm.

Grönholm was able to make up two points with second place, and in the end Loeb had a four-point lead in the drivers' standings.

Hirvonen was 15.2 seconds clear of second-placed Gronholm to secure his fourth WRC win of his career.

However, since he had lost almost ten minutes on the first day due to a broken windshield wiper, he was only able to finish tenth.