Ford boss elated

Marcus Gronholm's sixth win of the season and Mikko Hirvonen's second place extended the blue oval's lead in the standings to 25 points with only 18 available from the final round of the season.

A delighted Wilson said: "This title brings great personal satisfaction.

"Ford has been so close to winning the manufacturers' title on many occasions but it is many years since we achieved this honour and I'm proud to be able to deliver it now."

It is the biggest result for Wilson's M-Sport operation, who have run Ford's team since 1997.

And the former British rally champion paid tribute to every member of the team, and to tyre supplier BF Goodrich, who have provided the winning tyres in every rally this year - despite having never competed in the WRC before.

Wilson added: "It has been a huge effort by everyone, not only all the employees at M-Sport, but also our partners at BF Goodrich and all the other suppliers and partners who have supported the team.

"It is the culmination of many years of building a world class team, infrastructure and resource capable of beating the best."

At the start of the rally, Ford's only competitors for the title were the Kronos Citroen team, who held the series lead from early in the season until drivers' champion Sebastien Loeb broke his arm in September and decided to sit-out the final rallies.

Kronos team boss Marc Van Dalen was not bitter though and wasted little time in congratulating Ford on their success.

"Of course, we would have preferred the fight for the constructors' title to go down to the wire on Rally GB.

"But Malcolm Wilson's team have done a brilliant job here and I would like to congratulate them before anything else."