WRC
Sébastien Loeb recounts his abandonment in Portugal
The Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 crew had just put in a remarkable performance. “ I first measured the car in the first SS of the day (SS2, Editor's note), said Sébastien Loeb. In the one after that, I was distracted by Isabelle's door (Galmiche her co-pilot, Editor's note) which didn't close very well. I set off without the boost, losing 2 or 3 seconds from the start. The dust in the cabin was then annoying. In the 3e, I really attacked hard. I felt confident in the car and it gave a good performance. »
Sorry…😰 #WRC #RallydePortugal #MSPORTERS #Redbull #SFR #richardmille #vulcanet #sparco #indianmotorcyclefrance pic.twitter.com/exTS2j9lDc
- Sébastien Loeb (@SebastienLoeb) May 20, 2022
His best time in SS4 allowed him to move up from 7e rank… in the chair of leader of the rally. During the time trial marking the start of the afternoon loop, however, Sébastien Loeb committed a small mistake with very serious consequences. « In the first turn, which was a left on asphalt which closed, he said, with the hard tires there was a little less grip than I expected. As soon as we entered, the car started to slide. There was a lot of gravel on the outside which didn't help to regain grip. A wall started right where the curve closed and we hit it. This tore off the right rear wheel. » The nine-time world champion did not need to drive much further to assess the extent of the damage. “ The shock was not violent, he continued. The bodywork didn't even suffer. However, I think that we hit the start of the wall at an angle which broke the wheel. If it had happened 5 cm later, we would have bounced off the wall and it would have passed. There, I immediately understood that there was no more traction and that we would not go any further. »
Having not yet joined the audience, the Frenchman could not yet comment on the follow-up to his participation. “ We will discuss it with Malcolm (Wilson, director of M-Sport. Editor’s note)he explained. If we go again, we'll have to open the road so I don't know if that will help. »
Loïc ROCCI
Journalist specializing in rallying past, present and future... and with a southern accent
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