Loeb interested in Bourdais’s seat

Sébastien Loeb, five-time World Rally Champion, has expressed interest in transitioning to Formula 1, possibly with Scuderia Toro Rosso, replacing Sébastien Bourdais.

Bourdais might be experiencing his last race weekend with his team at the German Grand Prix. Rumors suggest that young Jaime Alguersuari could replace him.

However, Loeb hinted that he too was a serious candidate for the spot, although a first appearance at the Hungarian GP is very unlikely.

« Who knows, as long as Formula 1 and Rallies don’t overlap, anything is possible, » said Loeb to the French newspaper L’Equipe. « If there’s a spot at Toro Rosso, I’m available. »

Even if I must say that a Formula 1 Grand Prix is not the same as a Rally. It’s 70 laps and physically I am not ready. In a Rally, you don’t have the same physical conditions as a Formula 1 driver.

L’Equipe suggested that Loeb might spend some time in the simulator with Toro Rosso, the sister team of Red Bull Racing. He impressed during a test with Red Bull last winter.

However, while Loeb is in a tight battle this year to clinch the title, moving to F1 is unlikely even though it could be possible once his commitments with Citroën have ended.

Olivier Quesnel, the director of Citroën Sport, does not share the same aspirations as Loeb regarding a replacement for Bourdais.

« Let me be clear, Sébastien Loeb will not replace Sébastien Bourdais at Toro Rosso if he is transferred. Sébastien has expressed the desire to be in F1, and that doesn’t surprise me because it’s a dream for him. However, you can’t dream all the time. »