Sébastien Loeb 4 points away from another title
Sébastien Loeb is four points away from a fourth consecutive title, but the Frenchman will still have to make it to the end of the last rally of the season – in Great Britain – to defeat Gronholm, who has been in a difficult position since the last rally in Ireland, where the Finn had […]
Sébastien Loeb is four points away from a fourth consecutive title, but the Frenchman will still have to make it to the end of the last rally of the season – in Great Britain – to defeat Gronholm, who has been in a difficult position since the last rally in Ireland, where the Finn had to retire.
The Citroen C4 driver comments on this turnaround and his impressions before this final 2007 meeting.
Had you imagined such a turn of events in Ireland?
Of course not! The beginning of the race was completely crazy. With our shock absorber hose problem before the first stage on Friday, we thought we had lost a large part of our chances. In the end, we managed to limit the damage, and it was Marcus Grönholm who made the mistake! From there, a whole new rally began for us. In very tricky conditions, we had to find the right pace to stay focused, make the most of our C4 WRC, and secure this important victory. It allows us to reverse the trend in the ‘Drivers’ Championship’ and head into the ‘Wales’ at the top.
In Wales, will it still be a question of rhythm?
« Indeed, with the six-point lead we have, we don’t have the obligation to absolutely impose ourselves. If Marcus wins, the points from the fifth place will be enough for us to be crowned. We would be tied, but we would win by the number of victories. So we will need to find the most suitable pace to finish in the top five. I don’t really like having to drive just to finish, but given such a stake, it will be quite logical. »
So there are chances that the ‘Wales’ might slip away from you again this year?
« Except for a big surprise, we will probably not have our names on the winners’ list of this event in 2007. If that’s the price to pay for winning a fourth crown, I’m all for it! Like in Finland, it gives us goals for the coming seasons! Since we have been coming to England with a WRC, the rally has never really smiled on us. We were even completely absent in 2006! As there have been few changes in the course in recent years, I hope this lack won’t be too big of a handicap. The experience in New Zealand tends to prove otherwise. »
Interview conducted by the WRC
