“While I am naturally still disappointed not to have finished the rally, I'm so pleased for Mikko and Jarmo [Lehtinen] who really did a fantastically cool job in securing the vital points [so that Ford could secure the manufacturers'],” Gronholm continued.

“I've been with BP-Ford for two seasons and we've now won a world title in both years. This is my final season of competition in the WRC and I couldn't have asked for a better car than the Focus RS WRC.

“I've enjoyed some magnificent moments this season, none more so than in New Zealand when I won by just 0.3sec after three days of competition. That felt almost as good as winning the title and provided a surge of confidence at an important time of the season.”