Drama in Wales as Loeb retires!

Sebastien Loeb has been involved in a road accident leaving stage 18, Halfway.

The Citroen ace and co-driver Daniel Elena, plus the occupants of the car, are all understood to be uninjured. However, Loeb’s DS3 WRC has been damaged to the point he is unable to continue to the next stage, Crychan.

A spokesperson for the Citroen Total World Rally Team: “The other car was coming towards Seb and Dani on the wrong side of the road. It’s not possible to make repairs, they are out of the rally.”

On hearing the news, Loeb’s team-mate Sebastien Ogier said: “It’s a big shame for sure.”

Citroen team members are now trying to get the car back to service in Builth Wells in order to carry out repairs to enable the Frenchman to reach the podium in Cardiff this afternoon where he will celebrate the eighth world title he clinched on Friday.

Loeb’s exit hands Jari-Matti Latvala a comfortable lead on the World Rally Championship finale. It also promotes Mads Ostberg and Henning Solberg into second and third places respectively.

Loeb secured the 2011 world crown when title rival Mikko Hirvonen retired on Friday with engine damage. Had the Finn not hit trouble then Loeb’s retirement could have handed Hirvonen his first world championship accolade.