Sébastien Loeb: “Ride hard from the start”

If they are at the top of the general classification, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena are “only” thirteen points ahead of their first pursuers Mikko Hirvonen and Jermo Lehtinen. And Ford having always been very comfortable in Greece, the Alsatian knows that he will not have an easy time, especially since his teammate Sébastien Ogier is not ready to make his task easier either.

“There is no reason to change anything in our approach, underlines the seven-time world champion. We are leading the championship with a small lead. But thirteen points do not protect us. In Greece as elsewhere, we will ride hard from the start because every second counts. Even if we (Citroën, editor's note) have five consecutive victories on gravel, the margins are excessively small. To win, you have to attack from the start. »

Attack while being careful, because even if the Rally of the Acropolis is less brittle than in the past, it nevertheless retains special stages which should make the mechanics suffer. “The roads are tough for cars and drivers, continues Loeb, who will aim for a 66th victory in WRC. The heat only adds additional stress. In certain sections, you must avoid stones to protect the car and the tires. We sometimes find ourselves very shaken in the passenger compartment! »

Before Finland and the three events on asphalt, a surface on which it will be difficult to get, the resident of the Citroën World Rally Team will be keen to shine in Greece. A victory there would certainly deal a big blow to the morale of his rivals in the title race.