Sebastien Loeb falls to all-time Rankings low despite sealing record eighth title

Despite the retirement however Loeb was still able to clinch a record eighth WRC crown, after the only man capable of stopping him - Ford's Mikko Hirvonen - was also forced out of the rally.

The pair, separated by just eight points heading into the rally, had been locked in a fight for the lead until Hirvonen's retirement, which came just after he had edged ahead on the Dyfi East stage.

Hirvonen's team were unable to repair his car and confirmed his retirement from the race, which guaranteed Loeb the 2011 title.

It also led to a three point fall in the Rankings for Hirvonen, with the Finn now in 13th spot, behind Loeb and his Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier.

In Hirvonen's absence, his Ford team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala took up the pursuit of Loeb and surged ahead of the Frenchman going into the final leg.

Loeb then suffered a head-on crash with a road car on a crest between Halfway and Crychan, with the damage ruling him out and leading to his own Rankings fall.

Latvala meanwhile took his first stage win in more than 12 months to jump five places to 15th in the Rankings, just two spots behind his compatriot Hirvonen.

Across in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton closed on Mark Webber in the fight for second in the Rankings after a controlled victory in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton, in charge for much of the weekend, was handed a welcome boost when polesitter Sebastian Vettel retired on the opening lap following the damage caused by a spin and puncture on only the second turn.

That meant Vettel lost points in the Rankings, although he sealed the top spot months ago.

It also left the path clear for Hamilton to end a win drought which stretched back to July, and in the process close on Webber in the hunt for second.

His McLaren team-mate Jenson Button also has a mathematical chance of sealing second, although both Britons could be defeated by the fact Webber stakes fewer points in the final race - meaning he can afford to finish behind both McLarens in Brazil and still hang on to second.

Force India's Paul di Resta was the big gainer as his one-stop strategy proved enough to land him ninth and boost him 15 spots to 43rd in the Rankings.

To see who beats Sebastian Vettel in top five greatest title campaigns in history, and to see the full Rankings, visit www.castroldriverrankings.com.