Sébastien Loeb supports Sébastien Ogier for the WRC title: "He is always a cut above his rivals."

The parallels between them are numerous. Revealed by the operation FFSA Youth Rally, Sebastian Loeb et Sébastien Ogier They have more than just a first name in common. The two rally drivers have dominated the World Rally Championship for over 20 years, having won, one after the other, 17 titles in 18 seasons between 2004 and 2021.

Soon, the comparison could continue by looking at the record books: Sébastien Loeb, nine-time world rally champion, reigned alone at the top of the rankings, where he could be joined by his namesake in the event of a favorable scenario for Rally from Saudi Arabia. Trailing Elfyn Evans by three points, Sébastien Ogier must continue the momentum started in the first two days, which puts him in virtual lead by one point over his Welsh teammate.

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In his quest for a ninth crown, the Gapençais can count on the support of his elder, who knows Saudi Arabia well, where he will try in January to win his first Dakar with Dacia. "I don't necessarily know the special stages" WRC that they do in Saudi Arabia,” Loeb tempered expectations on Canal+ microphones. “My advice is limited, but I think he (Sébastien Ogier) has a slightly bigger stake than me this weekend (at the Rallye du Var, editor's note).” the fifty-year-old jokes.

"In any case, he had a very good season.", continues Sébastien Loeb. “Without competing in every rally, he’s definitely in the running for the title, so we’ll see. It’s not an easy rally for him. The conditions there are still quite desert-like. It could be tricky, but we’ll see how it goes at the end! It shows that he’s still dominating, just like he has for the past few years, and that he’s still got the drive. He always manages to be a cut above his rivals, so well done to him.”

Words that will undoubtedly please Sébastien Ogier, who has three special stages left to hold on to treacherous roads where punctures are commonplace.

The end of the Saudi Arabia Rally will be covered live from 7am on Saturday morning via text on AUTOhebdo.fr.