AJACCIO, France: French Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb closed in on a fifth consecutive WRC world crown here after winning the Rally of Corsica on Sunday.

Finland's Mikko Hirvonen and Belgium's Francois Duval, both driving a Ford Focus, finished second and third respectively in the 13th race of the calendar.

The win means Loeb now takes a commanding lead at the top of the drivers' championship with 106 points to Hirvonen's 92, with just two rallies remaining.