Ludovic Godard: "Sébastien Loeb has become a friend"

After competing in a rally-filled year last year, you've already won one this year! It seems like it's become an addiction!

You could say that.LaughsI have indeed participated in about twenty rallies, and the year has already started off with a bang. Furthermore, the rental business has grown significantly within my team in recent months. GL Automobiles. From now on, the rally It's been a part of my life. Since 2018 and my beginnings, things have changed quite a bit. We try to progress every year and the idea is to do the same in 2026.

We had the opportunity to see you driving a new Porsche 991 GT+. How did this project come about and what is next?

This is a project that goes back a few years. I did some track racing with this Porsche, and over time, it depreciated quite a bit in that configuration… Since it had just been serviced, I didn't want to sell it for a song. So, three years ago, I decided to upgrade it to GT+ specification. But between the work at the garage, the rallies, and the budget required, it took longer than expected. For the moment, it's less powerful than the…Alpine A110 GT+. I'll mainly use it for some local rallies, while prioritizing the...Alpine for the French Championship.

Speaking of CFR, we imagine that this is part of your plans for 2026…

Indeed. The exact program will depend on the budget I have available, as well as my partners. They have been very loyal, I thank them warmly, and even if the current situation isn't easy for some of them, I hope they can support me in 2026. Going on a full CFR might be complicated, but I hope to at least do the vast majority of it.

You made Sébastien roll Loeb twice in 2025 (Chablais and Var. Editor's note), Has your complicity reached its peak?

These two rallies were two great moments of the season. However, we are left with a bitter taste, because Sébastien was going very fast in the Var stage where he made a mistake, faster than Yoann Bonato, and he was rapidly closing in on Éric Camilli. (the winner. Editor's note). In any case, I can say that Sébastien has become a friend: we see each other frequently outside of rallying and in environments completely different from those of motorsport, our partners have also become friends, they are part of our close circle. When I talk to him, I find it hard to believe that he is a nine-time World Rally Champion!

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See Sébastien Loeb again in your Alpine Is it likely that there will be a CFR round in 2026?

If he's keen, I'll be too! It's entirely up to him. He knows I'll be up for it and that I'll do everything I can to make sure it goes smoothly. We haven't discussed it yet. But I'll definitely say yes if he were to suggest it.

The 2026 French Rally Cup Final, scheduled for Remiremont (October 15-17), isn't far from where you live. Would participating be a goal of yours?

My season won't be focused on that, but if I qualify and the conditions are right, then maybe I'll give it a try. However, I have to admit that the roads in the Vosges haven't been particularly kind to me since I started… But I see it as an opportunity for Matthieu Bôle-Richard, my usual co-driver, to do at least one "big" rally this year…