Team Citroen's position as the leading manufacturer in the World Rally Championship rose by six points in Japan extending the reigning champion's lead over second place Ford to 35 points, thanks to a highly calculated second place drive from Sebastian Loeb and a fifth place finish from team mate Carlos Sainz, the world's most successful rally driver.

The Rally Japan result means that Loeb now has five wins and three second place finishes this season and leads the WERC Driver's Championship by 30 points with just five rounds remaining.

Carlos Sainz tried different set-ups on each of the three days and despite posting three fastest times could not quite find the pace to take on the leaders. His fifth place keeps him in contention for second place in the championship, just four points behind Sollberg.