SAPPORO, Japan – France's Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb clinched a record-breaking fifth straight World Rally Championship with a third-place finish in the Rally of Japan on Sunday.

The 14th leg of the 15-round championship series was won by Mikko Hirvonen of Finland for his third win of the year in 3hrs 25min 3sec after the 29 stages.

"It's incredible. But that was a terrible rally. It couldn't have been more tricky. It's a great moment. It's perfect," said Loeb, who survived a dramatic spin in the 28th stage.

"I'm so relieved this weekend is over now. Last year (co-driver) Daniel (Elena) and I equalled the record with four wins, so being the only ones to do five, we are very happy," he added.

Loeb had shared the record of four straight championships with Tommi Makinen of Finland (1996 to 1999).

The French driver won the Rally of Japan in 2006 but failed to finish last year's race.

Loeb, whose overall time was 3hrs 27min 33.6sec, has won 10 events this season for a total of 112 points.

Loeb posted his first win in Germany in 2002, and rapidly developed his speed and consistency on gravel and snow afterwards to become an all-round performer with wins on all surface types.

He showed his talent in 2003 by chasing Subaru's Petter Solberg to the title until the final round and went one better the following year with a series of superlative performances.

Loeb broke record after record to dominate 2005 and proved himself to be one of rallying's all-time greats.

He was relegated to a private team Citroen Xsara WRC for 2006, but took a third consecutive world title and achieved the status of the most successful rally driver in history when he beat the record for career victories set by Carlos Sainz.

His victory at the Rally of Corsica last month was his 46th.

Hirvonen, second in the championship, now has 102 points but even if he wins the last event in Wales to add 10 points and Loeb wins no points, he cannot catch the French driver because he has won more races.

"That's it, it's over. But OK, he won 10 events before coming here so he deserves it. I did all I could. Now we need to try again next year," said Hirvonen.

Hirvonen's fellow Ford Focus driver Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland was second in 3hrs 25min 34.1sec.

His effort helped Ford to a maximum 18-point haul in the manufacturers' championship, and ensures that battle will go to the final round in Wales.

"It's very good for the team and very good for me. After such a bad time in August I can be happy. There was a time when our good result in Turkey seemed a long way away, but now I can be happy again," said Latvala.