Already sacred almost continuously since 2013 - only 2019 has escaped him - the French Sébastien Ogier has put it back.
On Sunday, the Toyota driver won his eighth WRC World Rally Championship title, with an emotional final round of the season at Monza.
Since at his side, his co-driver Julien Ingrassia was competing in the last rally of his career.
WORLD CHAMPIONS 🏆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ # WRC @TGR_WRC pic.twitter.com/k6eX4qBfXF
- Sébastien Ogier (@SebOgier) November 21, 2021
Thanks to his fourth victory of the season, the Gapençais, soon to be 38 (he will celebrate them on December 17), adds a little more to his immense record in the category.
And a length of the absolute record held by Sébastien Loeb, crowned him nine times WRC world champion between 2004 and 2012.
A partial WRC program expected next year
But the Alsatian should retain his prowess for a while yet, since Ogier should end his WRC career in relative parenthesis in order to devote himself to his family, and prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He will only play a few selected rounds next year, in a partial program with Toyota.
🗨️ "Today he's the one who takes the main seat. I will miss him, it will be difficult without him" A
lot of emotion for @SebOgier when paying tribute to his co-driver Julien Ingrassia 🥲🇫🇷 pic.twitter .com / BkPfUdgrLW
- CANAL + Sport (@CanalplusSport) November 21, 2021
The Japanese firm, which also won the constructors' title, also saw Welshman Elfyn Evans become runner-up by finishing second on Sunday, 7''3 behind the Frenchman.
Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai) completes the rally podium.