Sébastien Loeb did not expect “Loubet to be so fast”

Sébastien Loeb (M-Sport Ford) ne cessera de nous étonner par son talent. L’Alsacien a amélioré ce vendredi 9 septembre en Grèce un record, celui du plus vieux pilote à mener une manche du Championnat du monde des rallyes (WRC), at 48 years, 6 months and 14 days.

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The nine-time world champion had started this first stage of the Rally of the Acropolis but a poorly negotiated turn pushed him back to second place, behind his teammate and compatriot Pierre-Louis Loubet. However, a major effort produced in the last special on Friday gave him back the advantage by 1”7!

How to end the day on a high: pic.twitter.com/n99m6xRCBg

- M-Sport (@MSportLtd) September 9, 2022

Associated with Isabelle Galmiche since the victorious Monte-Carlo last winter, Sébastien Loeb took stock of this stage. “It was a long day. I had a good start, but I made a small mistake on SS4. It was complicated to become aggressive again afterwards. In the final stage, I forced myself to attack. The sensations were good and I was able to set the best time. But the battle is very close. Nothing is certain this evening. »

The veteran of the paddock admits to having been amazed by the pace of his 23-year-old junior. “To be honest, I don’t look at who I’m fighting. But I was surprised by Pierre-Yves. He was very fast, he had an excellent day. I didn't expect it to be this fast. »

As for the prospect of a fourth victory in the Acropolis, Sébastien Loeb is taking it easy. “I don’t feel comfortable with that idea at all. I think the remaining two stages are going to be very long, especially on Saturday. The gap with my pursuers remains small, we will have to continue to attack tomorrow. »

His boss Malcolm Wilson is still jubilant. “That’s a change from the last few months! It’s fantastic for everyone involved in the team. The problems encountered recently are known to everyone. The performance of Séb and Pierre-Louis was remarkable. I was delighted for Pierre-Louis. I had a feeling about Séb’s speed. I asked him if he was still using his notes from the 2002 Acropolis Rally (his first in WRC with Citroën. Editor’s note) and he said, “Yes, I just changed them a little. »

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