Five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has received a knighthood for his services to France.
Loeb was knighted by French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who awarded him the Legion d'honneur, at Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday.
The Legion d'honneur is the highest award given to a private individual in France, recognizing an outstanding achievement.
Following the ceremony, Loeb said: "I am extremely honored to have been recognized in this way by the president of the Republic. This award is given to an individual, but I would like to share it with each and every member of the Citroen team.
"Every time that we hear the French National Anthem played at the end of a rally, we all feel exactly the same pride at having showcased France to the best of all our abilities.
"I hope now that I can continue to worthily represent my country by claiming a sixth consecutive World Rally Championship title at the end of this year."