LOEB AND CITROËN - GRAND SLAM RECORD BREAKERS
26 October 2005 - Citroën UK Ltd

Citroën’s Sébastien Loeb achieved an amazing “first” in Corsica this weekend, by becoming the only man in history to win every single stage of a World Rally Championship event

The Frenchman’s ‘grand slam’ victory was also the WRC champion’s first on home soil and his ninth overall this season.

After securing his second consecutive world crown* in Japan three weeks ago, the importance of the Manufacturers’ title was not lost on Loeb. The “100 percent perfect” win extends Citroën’s lead at the top of the table to 30 points with only two rallies, Spain and Australia, to go.

Commenting on his success Loeb, said: ''I really wanted to win here, not only because this is my home rally but also because I love the Corsican stages. What makes me even happier is having been able to share my joy with that of the Citroën team during this extraordinary season. They are a fantastic bunch, always very, very motivated. They really deserve this result, as well as a third Manufacturers'' title and we will do our best to wrap that up next time out…''

This weekend’s victory was the 19th in Loeb’s career and makes him the sixth most successful driver in the championship’s history. This achievement is all the more remarkable as this is only the third full season that Loeb has competed in the World Rally Championship.

Leaderboard after Rally of France

1
S. Loeb/D. Elena (Citroën Xsara)
3 h 35min 46,7 sec

2
T. Gardemeister/J. Honkanen (Ford Focus)
+ 1min 51.7 sec

3
P. Solberg/Ph. Mills (Subaru Impreza)
+ 2min 42 sec

4
S. Sarrazin/D. Giraudet (Subaru Impreza)
+ 3min 34.2 sec

5
R. Kresta/J. Tománek (Ford Focus)
+ 5 min 21.5 sec

6
A. Bengué/C. Escudero (Škoda Fabia)
+ 5 min 27.8 sec

7
X. Pons/C. Del Barrio (Citroën Xsara Kronos )
+ 5 min 41.8 sec

8
N. Bernardi/J-M. Fortin (Peugeot 307)
+ 6 min 32.1 sec

9
G. Galli/G. D’Amore (Mitsubishi Lancer)
+ 6 min 37.8 sec

10
H. Rovanperä/R. Pietlilainen (Mitsubishi Lancer)
+ 9 min 22.5 sec

FIA World Rally Championship after round 14 - Manufacturers

1. Citroën, 160 pts - 2. Peugeot, 130 pts - 3. Ford, 93 pts – 4. Subaru, 89 pts – 5. Mitsubishi, 59 pts - 6. Škoda, 15 pts.

FIA World Rally Championship after round 14 - Drivers

1. S. Loeb, 117 points (2005 World Champion*) – 2. P. Solberg, 71 pts – 3. M. Grönholm, 71 pts – 4. T. Gardemeister, 58 pts – 5. M. Märtin, 53 pts – 6. H. Rovanperä, 31 pts - 7. F. Duval, 29 pts - 8. R. Kresta, 22 pts - 9. M. Stohl, 16 pts - 10. C. Sainz, 11 pts – 11. G. Galli, 11 pts – 12. H. Solberg, 9 pts – 13. Ch. Atkinson, 8 pts – 14. M. Hirvonen, 8 pts – 15. G. Panizzi, 7 pts – 16. S. Sarrazin, 6 pts – 17. D. Carlsson, 5 pts - 18. A. Warmbold, 4 pts – 19. X. Pons, 2 pts – 20. C. McRae, 2 pts – 21. M. Higgins, 1 pt - 22. J. Pykälistö et N. Bernardi, 1 pt.

*All results subject to FIA confirmation.

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