Kronos Citroen's Sebastien Loeb was officially crowned the 2006 FIA World Rally champion at the FIA's gala ceremony in Monaco on Friday night.

It was the third year in succession that the Frenchman has taken the title, something made all the more special this season as he managed the feat with a 'semi-privateer' outfit and because he also had to miss the final four events of the year, following his mountain bike accident at the end of September, just days following the Cyprus Rally. In the end Seb and co-driver, Daniel Elena took the crown by just one point, having notched up 112 points, while Marcus Gronholm had 111.

“To win the title is always a very nice moment for me, my co-driver and all the team,” said Loeb. “There was a lot of pressure before I won the championship but now it will stay a very good memory and hopefully I will win a few more in the future.”

The BP Ford World Rally team meanwhile also picked up their trophy for having won the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship for manufacturers', 29 points up on Kronos Citroen.

BP Ford's drivers, Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen, who finished second and third in the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship for drivers', also had their positions confirmed, while FIA Junior WRC champion, Patrik Sandell and FIA Production Car WRC champion, Nasser Al-Attiyah were given their 'gongs' too – the latter picking up the FIA Middle East Rally title as well.

In addition, champions from the other FIA championships were crowned too, including, rally wise, FIA Asia-Pacific Rally champion, Cody Crocker, FIA European Rally champion, Giandomenico Basso and FIA African Rally champion, Patrick Emontspool.