Fréquelin: “Loeb found himself with nothing”

Sébastien's signature Loeb in Hyundai a créé la surprise dans le monde du sport automobile. Sans programme officiel de la part de Peugeot , the nine-time champion WRC took on a new challenge by being offered a commitment for 6 rallies this year by the Korean manufacturer.

Guy Fréquelin, his former boss at Citroën, was invited by AUTOhebdo to comment on the Frenchman's choice.

Are you still in contact with Sébastien Loeb? Did he tell you about Hyundai?

We are actually in contact very often. So I knew where the situation stood.

Do you find it sad that the relationship with PSA ended this way?

With Peugeot stopping the WRX and Citroën no longer having the means to field a third car with the loss of Abu Dhabi, Sébastien found himself with nothing. Maybe he could do some rallycross by operating the 208 itself, but it is much more interesting to take up Hyundai's offer. As Seb wants to continue racing, he couldn't refuse. He will be able to compete in events that he enjoys in WRC, the discipline in which he excels.

What do you think Sébastien Loeb can bring to Hyundai and Thierry Neuville ?

Avoir un garçon de la trempe de Seb dans ses rangs, avec l’expérience qu’il possède, peut permettre à l’équipe de franchir encore un cap en termes de performances. Les réglages des pilotes actuels ne lui conviendront peut-être pas, ce qui donnera au team l’opportunité d’explorer d’autres voies. Aujourd’hui, on a tendance à dire que la meilleure WRC, c’est la Toyota. Il faut voir comment les autres vont évoluer, la Citroën avec Sébastien Ogier and the Hyundai with Seb. For Neuville, I think it’s not bad. Sébastien's experience can allow him to improve further in terms of race management.

This interview and the file on the departure of Sébastien Loeb at Hyundai were published in issue 2196 of AUTOhebdo always available.