Sébastien Loeb: “Everything is more subdued in theAlpine, but I like it »

Was this your first drive with the GT+?

I had in fact already tested a Alpine, but not in this definition. The start of the session was slightly disrupted by a small wastegate problem. The engine was a little hollow at low revs. Once this was resolved I found the auto to run well. Our base was probably too slow. I wasn't up to the 6 so it wasn't easy to feel the new aerodynamic features. On the old one, the air from the front radiator was vented underneath the car and I think that lifted it a bit in the fast. This has been changed. There were quite a few hairpins and traction isn't necessarily its strong point, because it's still a two-wheeler, but it was fun to drive.

In terms of engine, did you find any difference compared to the previous version?

I don't think there's a 20 horsepower difference, but it's still a car that is lighter and more powerful than a Rally2. The rallies where she was, she set good times. I tell myself that on the extensions it should accelerate harder. This is where you will have to save time. There are also quite a few hairpins at Mont-Blanc and from the moment you return on the 2^e report, you are not able to pass all the power. In terms of braking, I heard that some had finished times with temperatures that were a bit limited. During our testing, we didn't do any long runs, so we'll find out that aspect.

This will be your debut with propulsion in rally. Will this require adaptation and special management?

It's actually brand new. I have still evolved with GTs on the circuit and I have already traveled in a rear-wheel drive car, but it is nice to have to do it in a race. I will have to adapt to corner entries and placements. It remains a GT. It does not have the agility and responsiveness of a Rally2. It's a little more comfortable and less incisive. I can't yet play with it the same way I do with a 4WD. I'm less comfortable. It's a car that doesn't make a lot of noise. Unlike the 306 Maxi where the engine screams where it moves and where it jumps, here everything is more subdued, on the torque. At the beginning, Laurène thought that we were not making progress, but I think thatAlpine moves well and is efficient. I like it.

Have you taken a look at the weather forecast?

It’s still a bit far away… and I prefer not to look (laughing).

How are you going to handle the issue of tires which is not simple on theAlpine ?

We can only take one spare wheel. We will therefore be able to have a rain tire... which will be light. During this session, we didn't wear out the rubber that much, but apparently on certain races it consumes quite a bit. In the dry it is possible to swap the front and rear tires, as they are the same size, but we have not tried to do this yet.

Have you set yourself a goal in Morzine?

I'm already going to have to discover a lot of special stages. Of the 9 in the program, I only know three and a half. The other drivers already did them last year, since the route is the same. I don't really know where we are going to stand in relation to the Rally2s.