LEON, Mexico, March 3, 2008 (AFP) - Australia´s Chris Atkinson has set his sights on a maiden world championship victory after achieving his best career finish in the Rally of Mexico.

The Subaru driver battled to a hard-fought second place behind four-time world champion Sebastien Loeb.

It was his second podium in three rallies this season and lifted him to fourth overall in the drivers´ championship, just six points off the lead in the 15-race series.

"Chris did a fantastic job and I firmly believe he can win an event before the end of the year" said Subaru team principal David Richards.

Atkinson, 28, started the final day in second position and finished 66 seconds behind Loeb in the Citroen.

The Australian said he felt comfortable with the handling and balance of his car all weekend, and drove a solid rally to take eight points for himself and the team, the single largest haul of his career.

"It´s a fantastic result, my best in the world championship," said Atkinson.

"All the team, the guys on my car, Subaru all did a top job. It was good fun to beat Sebastien on the last super-special stage.

"It´s a great start to the year for me and also for the team, and I hope we can keep building on this. We´re making good steps forward and the car felt really good this weekend.

"We did some work on the dampers after Sweden and that was a big help - they were good here in the heat which is always a tough test. Now we look to Argentina and to keep this performance going. The sooner I can win the better."

dj08