Intro:

Sebastien Loeb crashed out of the Rally of France - his final World Rally Championship (WRC) appearance - on Sunday (October 6th), while newly-crowned champion Sebastien Ogier has moved into the lead.

Script:

Nine-time champion Sebastien Loeb has been competing in the WRC on a part-time basis this season, but the Citroen driver was making what he intends to be his final appearance at the Rally of France this weekend.

Unfortunately the Frenchman's participation, and record-breaking WRC career, came to a sudden end on Sunday's opening stage - special stage 15 - after he crashed in the opening kilometre on cold tyres.

Norway's Andreas Mikkelsen had a close call of his own on Sunday, but managed to avoid a couple of trees and got his Volkswagen back on track after sliding off the road.

Jari-Matti Latvala led at the end of Saturday's action, but slipped down to third overall on Sunday morning after finishing special stage 15 in fifth place.

The Finn remained in the final podium place with two stages to go in the rally.

Dani Sordo sits ten seconds off the lead in second place - the Spaniard finishing second on stage 15 and later winning stage 17.

But the man at the top of the timesheets is newly-crowned champion Sebastien Ogier.

The Frenchman won Sunday's first three stages and is on course to celebrate his maiden WRC title with a fourth victory in five rallies.