He has won 26 rallies in a C4

Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has admitted the Citroen C4 WRC is his favourite competition car of all time. In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, Loeb answers questions from his fellow Citroen team members and other luminaries in the sport.

Loeb, who celebrated the 10th anniversary of his first World Rally Championship start in Catalunya earlier this year, has now started 125 rounds of the WRC, but he is adamant the best car he has driven is the one he is still winning in: the C4 WRC.

Loeb, who has won 26 rallies in a C4 and 28 in a Xsara WRC, said:

“It’s difficult to compare competition cars, no two are the same. To drive on the circuit and in a Formula 1 car is extraordinary, but I would still say the C4 is my favourite. I have done so many kilometres in the car, I can do so many things with it. Yes, I would definitely say the C4, it has become part of me – I am at one with it.”

Loeb’s co-driver Daniel Elena, who has started every one of the 125 rallies with him, asked when they would get to switch roles and when Loeb would co-drive for him.

Loeb replied: “No, that’s not possible. I have done plenty of rallies with you and with you in your place – with me driving! That’s a definite no. Generally speaking, I don’t like being driven quickly by somebody else. Dani [Sordo] has already asked me 30,000 times, but I don’t want to. I have every confidence in Dani, but I don’t want to.”

” When I started out and I was learning I sat by [Philippe] Bugalski and Thomas Radstrom, but it wasn’t something I really enjoyed. If it’s normal road driving, then I don’t mind and I’m happy alongside more or less anybody – providing they are not trying to show off. In the [Peugeot] 908, I sat with [Stephane] Sarrazin. I trust him completely, he’s an excellent driver and he had nothing to prove.”

Sordo then asked Loeb to let him into the secret which has won him 54 world rallies and six titles.

Loeb said: “There are not so many questions which Dani has to ask himself. He knows how it works and he shouldn’t worry – his first win is not far away.”

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson asked the Frenchman when he would slow down only for the Citroen driver to answer with a smile:

“When I drive a Ford.” Wilson’s number one driver Mikko Hirvonen, the man who came within a point of stopping Loeb’s sixth title this season, asked if he wanted a seventh success next year. Loeb said: “Yes, that’s the plan, but you are making it more complicated!”

source: wrc.com