Ogier wins fourth successive rally title

Rally world champion Sebastien Ogier will head to Australia with a fourth successive championship in the bag after the Volkswagen driver took out the event in Spain on Sunday.

Ogier's title was the 13th in a row by a French driver called Sebastien, with compatriot Sebastien Loeb winning a record nine consecutively before him with Citroen between 2004 and 2012.

Ogier had needed 16 points to be sure of the title -- effectively third place and one of three bonus points available -- but in the end his comfortable victory in the Rally of Catalunya made all such calculations unnecessary.

Ogier finished the final stage 15.6 seconds clear of Dani Sordo and also won two points in the power stage, with the Spaniard's Belgian Hyundai team mate Thierry Neuville third and a further minute behind.

The victory was the 37th of Ogier's career.

"It's been a tough season but it's fantastic," said the Frenchman, who had led by 5.8 seconds on Sunday morning after retaking the lead on Saturday. "To be champion two rallies before the end again is great. I cannot do much more."

Rally Australia starts on November 17 in Coffs Harbour.