At the age of 51, Sébastien Loeb has mainly focused on the discipline of rally raids in recent years, and in January he will again try to win his first victory in the Dakar Rally with Dacia.
The Frenchman last competed in the WRC in 2022, when he participated in four stages with the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car. Loeb sensationally won the first stage of the Rally1 era – the legendary Monte Carlo Rally, narrowly beating Sébastien Ogier by 10.5 seconds. It was his 80th win in his WRC career.
Photo: Gabriela Moździerz
There are only five rounds in the World Rally Championship, which would theoretically allow Loeb to occasionally participate in WRC races from a calendar point of view. However, contractual obligations make such a possibility seem unlikely in the near future, as his deal with Dacia runs until 2027.
“In the beginning it’s not possible while we’re with Dacia – because of brand issues and other reasons, it’s difficult.” Sebastian Loeb explained Motorsport.com. “Later, someday – why not, I don’t know. However, this is definitely not in the plans for the near future. And these days my plans are sometimes accepted very quickly. We could easily decide in February to start in a WRC rally in April, but at the moment it is not among the projects,” continued Loeb.
In recent years, Loeb has also participated in some smaller rallies. At the end of November, he started in the traditional Rallye du Var In France with “Alpine A110”.
Photo: Bastien Roux
“I like the French Rally Championship and similar events because of the atmosphere. And those WRC feelings, classic rally emotions – it’s really something special. It’s nice to participate in this kind of rally from time to time,” continues Loeb, who categorically rules out ever returning to the WRC for a full season.
This year, Sébastien Ogier overtook Loeb in terms of all-time WRC titles – both now have nine world titles. Loeb has no interest in fighting for the tenth. “I know very well that the day I sign it again, I would immediately regret it!” Loeb said with a smile.
Photo: www.facebook.com/SebLoebOfficiel
“If there were six stages in the championship – yes! But 14 rallies and coming back in all that environment – no, to be honest, it’s too much. All the preparation, the cameras, the videos, coming back to the championship, where I don’t know the rallies that well anymore because I’ve been away for too long – it would require too much investment,” he explained.
Loeb admits that rally raids suit him much better now, because the calendar is not crowded. “I have five stages – of course they are longer, but it leaves me time to enjoy life and do what I want at the same time.”
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