World RX – Sébastien Loeb: “Fighting for the title”

A few days after their retirement from the 2018 Dakar, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena were invited by RTL radio for a question and answer session on Facebook with listeners. A session where the nine-time world champion WRC has clarified its objectives for the coming season, particularly in World RX.

“The 208 is in design, specifies the Alsatian who has not yet ridden with his new mount. Last year, we were in a bit of difficulty against the Volkswagens who were better than us.

It was the benchmark and it always will be. In 2018, the objective is to rise to their level, and to fight with them. Then, if we can be in front, the goal is to fight for the title. You won't have to rely only on Volkswagen. There will be serious customers. »

Loeb believes that the German manufacturer which supports the PSRX structure has redistributed the cards in the landscape of rallycross with the Polo GTI. “Volkswagen stopped the WRC at the end of 2016, and used the WRC car which is very close in regulation to the rallycross car.

A WRC is more developed and accomplished than a current rallycross car. They arrived with a car developed for four years with the WRC budget which has nothing to do with rallycross. This requires us today to invest a lot to get things back on track. »

Fun in the WRC above all

Sébastien Loeb will combine his main rallycross program with the three rounds planned in WRC in Mexico, Corsica and Catalonia. The Alsatian does not wish to set any particular objectives for this part-time return.

“The objective is to have fun in a current WRC, explains Loeb. The sensations of rally are not found elsewhere, neither at the Dakar, nor in rallycross, nor on the circuit. Ambitions are frankly very difficult to say.

Mexico, the last time we went there was in 2011 and the special stages have been repeated every year. We are going there with a lack of experience compared to the others who do the same special stages every year, and who know the car. I'm going there without too many objectives, with the curiosity of knowing where we will be. »

You can watch the entire video below.