Last September, double World Champion Marcus Grönholm announced his plans to retire from the WRC series.

Having fought against Sébastien Loeb for this year's title all the way to the final and 16th round, the former Ford team driver feels that the 2007 championship was the perfect setting to end his final push for the crown.

"This has been one of the most exciting seasons for many years," declared Grönholm at last week-end's FIA Gala event held in Monaco.

"Our battle for the driver's championship went down to the final round and the closeness of the competition was typified by Rally New Zealand where my fight with Sébastien Loeb ended with a margin of just 0.3 seconds after three days of flat-out driving," he related. "It doesn't get any better than that."

The Finn was going through mixed emotions last Saturday as he stood surrounded by the world's best at the impressive awards ceremony.

"I'm delighted to be in Monaco tonight although I must admit its an emotional evening," Grömholm admitted. "Having announced my retirement from the World Rally Championship this is my final appearance here as a driver."