Latvala stuns Loeb

Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala won the Wales Rally GB on Sunday, ending reigning champion Sebastien Loeb’s run of five-straight victories in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

Latvala won by 27.8 seconds, his first taste of victory since February in an otherwise disappointing season and the first win for his Ford team since Portugal in April.

Citroen’s Loeb took second place by just 0.8 seconds from Latvala’s team-mate Petter Solberg, with Mads Ostberg fourth.

The result increases Loeb’s championship lead over teammate Mikko Hirvonen and leaves the Frenchman in a near-impregnable position with three rallies remaining left in the season.
Hirvonen was fifth but took the three bonus points for being fastest on the Power Stage.