The 22-year-old French driver from Corsica clinched the crown by three points after Rally Australia was called off earlier this week due to devastating bushfires affecting the region around the host town Coffs Harbour in New South Wales.

Loubet travelled to Australia in a commanding position. Second-placed Kajetan Kajetanowicz had already completed his allocated number of rounds and Loubet held a 16-point advantage over Mexico’s Benito Guerra in third.

The cancellation of the Australian event meant the positions remained unchanged and the Škoda Fabia R5 driver could celebrate following a season in which he claimed victory on two of the six rounds he started, in Portugal and Sardegna.

“What a fantastic year in this competition where our 6 out of 7 results allow us to win the FIA WRC 2 this season,” he wrote on social media.

“Thank you to all my partners who have been following me from the beginning. And, of course, to Vincent to whom I owe a lot!

“Obviously my thoughts go to the people of New South Wales who are going through a dramatic moment.”

* subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA

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View the photo gallery. The provisional FIA WRC 2 standings can be consulted here.