Sébastien Loeb driver of the year 2009

Sébastien Loeb continues the interviews. Always with the same freshness and spontaneity. We met him in the lounges of a large Parisian hotel to present him with the ?Fiszman? of the AUTOhebdo Driver of the Year. The six-time world champion has a touch of humor at least equal to his racing speed. He likes to tackle. He liked his caricature. “I can be fine. But Daniel didn’t miss it! » Presentation of the Trophy, handshake, good laugh, a series of photos and the interview can begin?

Among all the distinctions you receive each year, do you value this title of AUTOhebdo Driver of the Year equally?
Rewards are always nice. Be recognized by AUTOhebdo readers too. The season was very lively. I start well, then I go through a difficult period and, finally, I fight for the title until the last rally. I am very happy in the end to be champion for the sixth time. And being recognized by readers makes me even more happy! I?ve gotten used to winning prizes at the end of the season but I?m not jaded yet. It?s always nice to win. If one day it were to work less well, I would quickly realize what I would lose. So I prefer to do everything to keep it going!

On your personal scale, how high do you rate this sixth title?
I will never be able to forget the first one which will always remain engraved. Every driver who competes in a championship has the ambition to win it one day. Or else, he has to stop! When we achieve this, the emotion is very strong. A first world title is the fulfillment of a dream. It retains a particular value. But sportingly, the last one is the most beautiful.

Let's move on to 2010 with a copious program between the championship and the development of the new DS3 WRC. How will you combine the two activities, races and tests?
There will be a lot of work! Not to mention that there will always be tests with the C4 to prepare for the rallies. Does this mean a lot of driving, kilometers?

And it may also be necessary to fit the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Peugeot ?
If it has to be done, indeed, it will also be additional work and a lot of time to devote to it. Except that it's not me who is developing the 908. The objective of the tests will be to get myself into the rhythm.

In 2010, Kimi Räikkonen, former world champion of F1, joined the world of rallying and the Junior Citroën team. What does his involvement in the WRC inspire you?
For me, it is a good thing for our sport that a driver of such notoriety is involved in it. That he comes to Citroën, I am even happier. I have already met him but I don't know him more than that. It will be nice to see him more often. I like its cool side. In his own way he is special. But he is as he is and that’s why we appreciate him. I think we will talk about rallying more often?

Find the entire interview with Sébastien Loeb, as well as the complete file concerning the election of the driver of the year, in AUTOhebdo n°1733, on sale now at your newsagents.