CARDIFF, WALES - World champion Sebastien Loeb crowned his season with victory in the Rally of Great Britain here on Sunday for his first win in the race.

The Frenchman, driving a Citroen C4, beat overnight leader Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland by 2.7seconds to record his 11th win of the season and 47th career success.

Loeb, who has been crowned world champion five times, left it late as he trailed Latvala by over two seconds going into the 19th and final special stage after the Frenchman had been handed a 10sec penalty for having false started in the preceding special.

However, just as he had done in the three previous special stages on Sunday Loeb prevailed to take the Rally.

"This Rally was very difficult," admitted Loeb.

"I didn't like it a lot, but today (Sunday) I had a great battle with Jari-Matti and it is unbelievable to have finally won here."

For Loeb, it was his most satisfying season ever.

"This has been my most accomplished season ever," added the Frenchman. "Even if there have been other really happy seasons. This year, there have been plenty of really good battles in the Rallys."

For world title runner-up Mikko Hirvonen it was a case of what might have been.

"Next year we will have to try and find something extra to beat Loeb," said the Finn.

"I have been saying that for three years now but perhaps if I had won in New Zealand this season everything would have been different."

Loeb's overall victory proved a double title celebration as Citroen won the constructors title dethroning Ford, who won in 2006 and 2007.