Loeb re-signs for Citroen

[Allyc85]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93797

Nothing like a challenge is there?

I admire Loeb for is amazing speed and consistancy, but to me all his titles will be tarnished by the fact they are all with what is by far the best team, with the most money against pretty weak opposition.

Come on Seb, you should have signed for VW

[m8rky]

So Marcus wasn't a worthy challenger? Citroen owe a lot to Seb for his development into the team,so i think he is entitled to reap his rewards.He is an exceptional talent that has won on his driving skill,yes in a damn good selection of cars but his skill is the overriding factor.Just compare him with his team mates who can not match him in identical machinery.
I remember reading an article in about 2006,a journalist had watched Seb in Corsica,at a certain corner every other driver had changed down one or two gears,Seb took it flat out.

[Stu R]

The guy is unreal, incredible talent but I'd love to see him apply his skills in either another team, or another series (not F1).

[Allyc85]

Fair point about Marcus *eats humble pie*

I was just really hoping that he would move on! Like when Schuey used to dominate in F1 Loebs success is getting so boring now and not really good for the sport as the casual viewers I talk to lose interest in it as soon as I say hes won again.

[ArnageWRC]

Allyc85 said:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93797

Nothing like a challenge is there?

I admire Loeb for is amazing speed and consistancy, but to me all his titles will be tarnished by the fact they are all with what is by far the best team, with the most money against pretty weak opposition.

Come on Seb, you should have signed for VW

I admit, I'm really disappointed by this. I really hoped he'd take the on the challenge of a new car/team, etc and do what Schumacher and Rossi have done. With the stories of tension in the Citroen team between Loeb and Quesnel/Ogier - it is surprising.
So what has happened? It would be interesting to know what the contract contains. Or will Ogier hang around. What will VW do now?
Questions, questions.....

[Mini1275]

Stu R said:

The guy is unreal, incredible talent but I'd love to see him apply his skills in either another team, or another series (not F1).

He was bloody good in a Le Mans car, he came 2nd overall one year if I recall correctly.

I wouldn't be surprised if he went back to endurance racing after his rallying career.

[Streps]

Also did rather well in a formula one test a few years ago.

would of been interesting if the race for Torro Rosso came to fruition .

[Stu R]

Mini1275 said:

Stu R said:

The guy is unreal, incredible talent but I'd love to see him apply his skills in either another team, or another series (not F1).

He was bloody good in a Le Mans car, he came 2nd overall one year if I recall correctly.

I wouldn't be surprised if he went back to endurance racing after his rallying career.

Yep, was lucky enough to see it in the flesh. One of my favourite drivers. I think he'd do bloody well in ALMS or FIA GTs.

[Allyc85]

Is Autosport just being lazy, or has the WRC lost its way so much that Pantano standing in for Wilson in Indycar is bigger news?!

http://www.autosport.com/news/

[ArnageWRC]

Allyc85 said:

Is Autosport just being lazy, or has the WRC lost its way so much that Pantano standing in for Wilson in Indycar is bigger news?!

http://www.autosport.com/news/

A bit of both - 10-15 years ago Autosport was worth buying - and wasn't dominated by F1. WRC hasn't been helped by shooting itself in the foot. Sadly, Autosport are only reinforcing the view of the general media/public that F1=Motorsport. Which is not the case at all.

[DanB7290]

Yep, although I do buy a copy of autosport now and again, usually when I've got to catch a flight and need something to stop me wanting to perform experimental brain surgery on myself to remove boredom, I must admit it's not as good as it was, pretty much bums F1 until it can't take much more, but NASCAR doesn't even get one full page most of the time, and I'm getting to the stage where I'm preferring NASCAR to F1 (time to don the flameproof overalls).

Anyway, Loeb. It makes sense, why change a winning formula and all that, but it'd sure add to his credibility if he was able to join VW and get them right up there from the off. Or he follows Kimi and has a stab at NASCAR

[Allyc85]

Well unsurprisingly Loeb leads rally Germany from Ogier with Ford as always doing their best to fk it up!

Good pace from the Minis though in 4th and 5th. If they can get the engine upgrade they need things are looking decent for next year

Leading positions after SS6:

Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen 1h18m21.4s
2. Sebastien Ogier Citroen + 7.4s
3. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 1m18.4s
4. Dani Sordo Mini + 1m40.3s
5. Kris Meeke Mini + 1m57.6s
6. Petter Solberg Solberg Citroen + 1m59.8s
7. Henning Solberg Stobart Ford + 3m22.1s
8. Kimi Raikkonen Ice 1 Citroen + 3m25.5s
9. Dennis Kuipers FERM Ford + 3m31.7s
10. Armindo Araujo Italia Mini + 4m22.4s

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93834

[ArnageWRC]

http://www.autosport.com/

Autosprout have a F1 non story as their headline, while it's kicking off between Loeb & Ogier in Deutschland following the 'team orders' and Loeb's puncture.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93855

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93853

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93856

[hornet]

Allyc85 said:

Is Autosport just being lazy, or has the WRC lost its way so much that Pantano standing in for Wilson in Indycar is bigger news?!

http://www.autosport.com/news/

Apologies for thread hijack, but how is Giorgio Pantano still only 32? Seems to have been racing forever.

[Emeye]

I agree OP - since WRC is not arsed about being on free to view TV I've lost interest this year and I love WRC!

Peter Solberg needs to be in a works team - I just don't get why he isn't, atleast he would then be able to consistently fight with Loeb.

[Streps]

I think Solberg needs to get himself into a Mini asap.
Is it true Ford were not impressed with him after he left them for Subaru?

Mini are getting into the position to cause some trouble.
Really promising.

Edited by Streps on Sunday 21st August 05:16

[Mojocvh]

Yawn-fest I'm afraid.

His BIG problem is that history will see his run of titles as having been gained with little REAL opposition.

Which is a shame.

[28jaguar]

ArnageWRC said:

A bit of both - 10-15 years ago Autosport was worth buying - and wasn't dominated by F1. WRC hasn't been helped by shooting itself in the foot. Sadly, Autosport are only reinforcing the view of the general media/public that F1=Motorsport. Which is not the case at all.

I'm glad someone from England has this opinion! 10/15 years ago I would buy Autosport regularly despite it being more expensive and a week or two behind, it was an awesome magazine. Nowadays, I barely even flick through it at a newsagent.

[jellison]

But did you see the Spped of Loeb on the Superspecial round the streets at the end of Germany after gifting the win with the puncture (Ogier with all his moaning about team orders was never going to beat Loeb here with out a problem like Loeb eventually had - not going to have a mechanical indefinately). He Destroyed them all in only a few kkm's round the streets - spank them - Over 2 seconds fast over just a few km's!!

[m8rky]

Mojocvh said:

Yawn-fest I'm afraid.

His BIG problem is that history will see his run of titles as having been gained with little REAL opposition.

Which is a shame.

Ford,Mitsubishi,Subaru,Peugeot,Gronholm,McRae,Solberg,yea no real opposition there was there.