Sebastien Ogier strengthened his grip on the World Rally Championship with an impressive victory in the German Rally.
The 31-year-old Frenchman finished ahead of Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala by 23 seconds, with Andreas Mikkelsen completing a 1-2-3 for the German car manufacturer on home soil.
Hyundai duo Dani Sordo and Thierry Neuville finished fourth and fifth respectively, with Welshman Elfyn Evans sixth in his Ford Fiesta RS.
Northern Ireland’s Kris Meeke was 11 minutes off the pace in his Citroen and finished 12th.
In the WRC2 division, Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen claimed fifth place behind Skoda driver Jan Kopecky.
Ogier can clinch the title in Australia next month if he finishes ahead of Latvala, and admitted afterwards he was relieved to get the victory in Germany.
"It's a big relief to win this rally especially," Ogier told wrc.com. "The pressure was on all weekend because everyone expected us to be successful on our home round, but we made it.
"I'm so close to my third title and it's been a fantastic weekend for us."
Hyundai duo Dani Sordo and Thierry Neuville finished fourth and fifth respectively, with Welshman Elfyn Evans sixth in his Ford Fiesta RS.
