Sébastien Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia swept to their eighth FIA World Rally Championship title in nine seasons in Italy on Sunday afternoon.

The Frenchmen ended their full-time career in style with victory at FORUM8 ACI Rally Monza after a thrilling duel with Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin.

The lead changed hands six times before Evans/Martin spun in the penultimate speed test, allowing Ogier/Ingrassia to win by 7.3sec in a Yaris World Rally Car.

Dani Sordo and Candido Carrera finished third, a further 14.0sec behind, in a Hyundai i20.

Toyota’s 1-2 secured the manufacturers’ title.

More news to follow.