Sebastien Loeb once again proved that he is one of the greatest rally drivers of all time with another superlative WRC performance on Rally Ireland.

Despite his initial incorrect tyre choice on day 1 it was business as usual for Loeb with another controlled drive to score his 12th successive tarmac WRC win. Loeb set fastest time on 11 stages of the 19 stage event.

The result was Loeb’s 48th career win and his second on the Irish round of the World Rally Championship, which he last won in 2007.

His team-mate Dani Sordo finished second, as he had done in 2007, making it an emphatic one-two result for the Citroen Total World Rally Team.

“It’s been a really tough rally but I’m very happy to take the 10 points,” said Loeb. “Tarmac rallies are especially important to me. This one has been tricky for everyone, but now we’re here at the finish with maximum points. It’s a good start to the season!”

Second place netted Dani Sordo eight points in the 2009 drivers’ championship. “It’s a really, really good result for us to start the year with,” said the Spaniard. “I’m happy for me and for the team. The conditions have been bad - we’ve had some crazy stages - but it’s been a great result!”

Mikko Hirvonen finished third in his BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team Focus RS WRC, collecting six championship points and slotting behind Sordo in the 2009 drivers’ standings.

“It’s a good start to the season,” said the Finn. “We had some problems this weekend; I was hoping I could fight with Sordo but maybe that will come another time. It’s still a good start to my season. Now I’m looking forward to the next round in Norway.”