Team mate Mikko Hirvonen came in second place - 29.4 seconds behind Latvala - making it a perfect one, two for the BP Ford Abu Dhabi Team and earning 18 points in the manufacturers’ championship.

Citroen privateer Petter Solberg finished third in his Xsara world rally car after some problems with the car overheating.

Sebastien Loeb ended his WRC winning streak with what was eventually fourth place, after being relegated from third. Day two was a tough day for Loeb, with the car getting a puncture on Fiorentini stage – one of the two new stages introduced by organisers this year. Stewards then took a post rally decision to penalise the pair after Elena unfastened his safety belt during SS11. Elena said he was doing it to prepare for a tyre change but unfortunately didn’t wait until the car had completely stopped, therefore earning a two minute penalty.

Despite this weekend’s outcome, Loeb still leads the drivers’ championship with 55 points (17 ahead of Hirvonen) and Citroen remain at the top of the manufacturers’ standings. The Frenchman expressed his relief just to get to the end: “It’s good to finally get a result here after all the trouble it has caused. It just didn’t work out for us this weekend.”

Fifth place was taken by Citroen Junior Team driver Evgeny Novikov, which was the Russian’s best result to date. Brit Matthew Wilson came in sixth after suffering mechanical problems on day one.
The final day of competition saw a sensational battle between Al-Attiyah and Patrik Sandell in the Production WRC but Nasser Al-Attiyah eventually took victory to make it his second consecutive win of the year. The Junior WRC win went to Martin Prokop in his Citroen C2 Super 1600.

Starting from the port of Olbia, the Rallye d’Italia Sardegna was decided over 17 timed stages run over fine and sandy gravel roads in the regions of Olbia-Tempio, Nuoro, Sassari, Goceano and Costa Smerelda before the ceremonial Finish in Porto Cervo.
Fastest stage times were recorded as follows; Latvala 6, Loeb 5, Hirvonen 2, H. Solberg 2, Sordo 1, P. Solberg 1
For news and results from Rally of Italy, the sixth event in the 12-round 2009 FIA World Rally Championship, please visit: http://www.rallyitaliasardegna.com
For all the latest news, video clips, audio, etc, from the FIA World Rally Championship go to; http://www.wrc.com

WRC Manufacturer Team websites;

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team; http://www.bpfordwrc.com

Citroën Total World Rally Team; http://www.citroen-wrc.com

Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team; http://www.stobartmotorsport.com

Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team: http://www.munchis.com.ar/

Other WRC websites;

Pirelli - WRC; http://www.pirellityre.com/web/motorsport/rally/wrc/default.page

The next and seventh round of the FIA WRC is the 56th Acropolis Rally of Greece - 11th to 14th June.
For news; http://www.acropolisrally.gr/

Wales Rally GB is the 12th and final round of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship and is scheduled to start in Cardiff on Thursday 22nd October.

Ends.