French driver Sebastien Loeb cruised to a record-breaking seventh consecutive Rally of Germany title on Sunday, to reclaim his place at the top of the championship standings.

The four-time world champion Citroen C4 driver finished on 3hr 26min 19.7sec, almost 50sec ahead of Spaniard Dani Sordo in the second C4.

Ford Focus pair, Belgium's Francois Duval and Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, finished third and fourth.

The German victory was Loeb's 43rd professional win, and he now moves four points clear of Hirvonen at the top of the drivers' championship.

Loeb had all but sealed the win by the penultimate special stage, which afforded the Frenchman the luxury of a stress-free drive in the last stage.

AFP