World RX – Loeb betrayed by his Peugeot

Sébastien Loeb missed the World RX semi-finals in Barcelona (Spain) for the first time. The Team driver Peugeot -Hansen failed to reach the final qualifying places after encountering a mechanical problem following an error in the assembly of the front-left transmission.

“This weekend was not a success for me. It is the least we can say, commented Sébastien Loeb. I had a little problem with the car in Q3 even though this race was essential, after yesterday's climatic hazards. We had good track conditions but I was unable to take advantage of them due to a dislocated drive shaft. I finished last in Q3 and started first in Q4. On a dusty track, I couldn't get into the semi-final. It is very frustrating. The feeling with the car is not bad but there are a lot of people in front. »

His teammate Kevin Hansen, reigning Euro RX champion, fared a little better by taking 5th place in the first semi-final.

“The results of my weekend are pretty good, in terms of pace, commented Kevin Hansen. My integration into the official team went well. I feel like I interacted well with the engineers throughout the weekend. There were ups and downs: a little luck in Q2 and a little less at other times. I feel like I've never really been able to show 100% of my potential. In the semi-final, I started 6th. So I had to try something. I tried outside but it didn’t work.”

Timmy Hansen was the best performer in the Team Peugeot-Hansen clan, finishing 5th in the Barcelona final ahead of the Volkswagen Polo RX of Johan Kristoffersson.

“It was interesting to finally see everyone's rhythm. We were able to see that our opponents are very fast but, after the semi-final and the final, I have the feeling that we also have a very good burst of speed even if the course of the races this weekend did not give us a not always allowed to exploit it. I have never had trouble keeping up with the competition and we have very good potential. I'm optimistic for the future even if luck wasn't really on our side this weekend. That will change very soon, I’m sure.”