The Citroën Total World Rally Team wrapped up the Manufacturers’ title for the fifth time this weekend following a one-two success for Sébastien Loeb and Dani Sordo in the Rally of Catalunya.

Loeb’s victory over team-mate Sordo ensures that the 2009 World Rally Championship heads to the final rally in Wales with the Drivers’ title still undecided - Loeb now sits just one point off the lead.

Five points behind Championship leader, Mikko Hirvonen, at the start of the rally, Loeb’s dominant display throughout the weekend ensured the gap was narrowed to just a single point as the World Rally Championship makes its way to Wales at the end of the month.  Loeb’s success in Spain was his sixth of the season, his fifth successive victory in the Rally of Catalunya and a record 53rd win of his career.

Sébastien Loeb commented, “It was important to come first and second here, not only to wrap up the Manufacturers’ championship, but also to keep our chances very much alive for the Drivers’ title. Everyone did a great job this weekend and both our cars ran perfectly.”

Dani Sordo, who finished just 12 seconds behind Loeb commented, “I am proud to have contributed to yet another world title for Citroën.  The title is a result of a real team effort.  You cannot disassociate the engineers, mechanics and everyone in the squad from today’s success.”

Citroën UK’s Managing Director, Gary Savage, commented, “As Citroën enjoys its 90th anniversary year, Sébastien Loeb and Dani Sordo have given us yet another reason to celebrate - a fifth FIA WRC Manufacturers’ title, further cementing Citroën's reputation in this sport.  With Loeb in a fantastic position to make motorsport history and clinch an unprecedented sixth consecutive WRC Drivers’ title, the final round in Wales will definitely be the one to watch.”

FINAL LEADERBOARD ON RALLY CATALUNYA

1. Loeb/Elena (Citroën C4)  3h22min 14.7s
2. Sordo/Marti (Citroën C4) +12.0
3. Hirvonen/Lehtinen (Ford Focus) +54.1s
4. P.Solberg/Mills (Citroën C4)  +1min 12.4s
5. Ogier/Ingrassia (Citroën C4)  +1min 41.6s

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP MANUFACTURER STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 11 OF 12

1st Citroën Total WRT, 151 pts; 2nd BP Ford Abu Dhabi, 130 pts; 3rd Stobart VK M-Sport, 74 pts; 4th Citroën Junior Team, 42 pts.

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 11 OF 12

1st M. Hirvonen, 84 pts; 2nd S. Loeb, 83 pts; 3rd D. Sordo, 58 points; 4th J-M. Latvala, 39 pts; 5th P. Solberg 30 pts; 6th H. Solberg 29 pts.