Loeb: “I don’t want to be a drag on the team”

Sébastien Loeb had difficulty digesting the way in which the Rally Monte Carlo. Hoping to land the podium after finishing 4th last year, the driver Hyundai did not manage to be on the pace of the leaders and fell to 6th position in the last stage following a poor choice of tires where he was hoping for a wet road.

“We forget the idea of ​​snow tires and we decide on a choice that seems offensive to us at the moment: 5 super soft! We don't want to take a spare tire for the weight, explains Sébastien Loeb. Andrea (Adamo, director of Hyundai Motorsport), with his entire team, reassures us of the idea of ​​this choice and seems quite sure of himself. We follow him. Thierry (Neuville) also shares this idea. Before Dani (Sordo, his opener) manages to convince him that it will have time to dry and that it is necessary to provide “softs” for the second round. Dani's race experience and his perspective on the tires clearly made the difference and this last second decision saved Hyundai's weekend with this superb victory that followed. »

“In hindsight, it’s always easier to make the right choice!” I definitely don't want to blame the team. Better yet, I had always remembered a rule that we had set with Citroën Racing at the time: “In Monte-Carlo, if you have any doubt about the choice of tires, always go for the soft and never towards the hard”. I think this is the first time this rule hasn't worked! », adds the seven-time winner of the event.

The day after Thierry Neuville's victory at the Monte-Carlo Rally, Hyundai announced that Sébastien Loeb would be replaced by Craig Breen for Rally Sweden scheduled for the weekend of February 16.

“At the finish of Monte-Carlo on Sunday, Andrea said to me, “Do you really want to go to Sweden? ". I said to him, “Really? No ! If you have a backup solution, go for it. I don't want to be a drag on the team. » I want to be a plus for the team. If we judge, Hyundai and I, that Dani, Craig or whoever can be faster and bring more, I give up my place. My presence must be used intelligently to achieve the only goal that we all want: the constructors’ title”, comments the nine-time champion WRC.

Sébastien Loeb may have made the right choice, with the Swedish Rally in danger with the lack of snow due to unseasonably high temperatures. The Alsatian will participate this weekend in the final of the Andros e-Trophy at Super Besse (Puy de Dome).