The Finn Kalle Rovanperä is the new World Rally Champion - and one for the history books.
One day after his 22nd birthday, the Toyota factory driver won the New Zealand rally around Auckland, making him the youngest champion in World Championship history.
The Scot Colin McRae, who won the title in 1995 at the age of 27, previously held this record.
Rovanperä is Finland's first World Rally Champion since Marcus Grönholm in 2002.
The son of the former world-class driver Harri Rovanperä demonstrated his skills right from the start in four days of continuous rain in New Zealand.
On the final power stage, he and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen (Finland) not only defended their lead, but also effortlessly extended it.
At the finish, Rovanperä was 34 seconds ahead of second-placed defending champion Sebastien Ogier (France/Toyota).
At the finish, Rovanperä first fell into his father's arms and then thanked his team: “You put a real rocket on my wheels.
After a long and not always easy season, it is a great relief to finally be there.”