Loeb - retiring from WRC?
Discussion
Looks like he's scaling back his involvement next season, perhaps to compete in the WTCC instead:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102876...
Apparently the Citroen WRC team has 60% backing from Abu Dhabi, and can continue even with funding reduced from PSA (who are also running the 208 R5 in the IRC), so it's not like he wouldn't have a drive.
Beginning of the end?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102876...
Apparently the Citroen WRC team has 60% backing from Abu Dhabi, and can continue even with funding reduced from PSA (who are also running the 208 R5 in the IRC), so it's not like he wouldn't have a drive.
Beginning of the end?
I think of plenty of series to join before I’d pick the WTCC – that’s even more of a mess than the WRC (saying that the WRC is looking on the way back up) . It seems Citroen are desperate to keep hold of him that the WTCC is the only series they can afford to do with him. Let him go, so he can do a proper series in a proper car! LMP/GT racing....
Apparently he's said he's doing the Monte Carlo because it's his favourite, but after that he's just going to pick and choose rather than contesting the championship.
I wonder if he might be interested in running in the new RGT class? Doesn't sound like they'll be contesting every rally, and he may manage to beat his WRC stage times in one.
I wonder if he might be interested in running in the new RGT class? Doesn't sound like they'll be contesting every rally, and he may manage to beat his WRC stage times in one.
doogz said:
ArnageWRC said:
I think of plenty of series to join before I’d pick the WTCC – that’s even more of a mess than the WRC (saying that the WRC is looking on the way back up) . It seems Citroen are desperate to keep hold of him that the WTCC is the only series they can afford to do with him. Let him go, so he can do a proper series in a proper car! LMP/GT racing....
I'm guessing, completely, but perhaps WTCC would be a stepping stone to something quicker? There's no doubt he's a fantastic driver, but he's spent most of his career having the road to himself, a season in touring cars might be good for him in terms of honing his overtaking?doogz said:
I'd still love to see him in an F1 car, but I don't see it happening.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-DyBiML3wAs far as I've read - Loeb has said he's bored.
He enjoys the rallies themselves, but not the travelling, recce's, etc.
Understandable - after 10 years with zero competition, I'd be looking for a new challenge aswell.
WTCC is an interesting choice. At 38, he's far too old for F1 so it's either touring cars or GT's.
I simultaneously admire and am frustrated by his loyalty to Citroen. They obviously know he's one of, if not the, best drivers of anything around so are doing anything to keep him but it frustrates me that he hasn't moved to another team to prove that it's about him and not his machinery.
He enjoys the rallies themselves, but not the travelling, recce's, etc.
Understandable - after 10 years with zero competition, I'd be looking for a new challenge aswell.
WTCC is an interesting choice. At 38, he's far too old for F1 so it's either touring cars or GT's.
I simultaneously admire and am frustrated by his loyalty to Citroen. They obviously know he's one of, if not the, best drivers of anything around so are doing anything to keep him but it frustrates me that he hasn't moved to another team to prove that it's about him and not his machinery.
Muzzer79 said:
As far as I've read - Loeb has said he's bored.
He enjoys the rallies themselves, but not the travelling, recce's, etc.
Understandable - after 10 years with zero competition, I'd be looking for a new challenge aswell.
WTCC is an interesting choice. At 38, he's far too old for F1 so it's either touring cars or GT's.
I simultaneously admire and am frustrated by his loyalty to Citroen. They obviously know he's one of, if not the, best drivers of anything around so are doing anything to keep him but it frustrates me that he hasn't moved to another team to prove that it's about him and not his machinery.
I guess it's because he's spent over ten years building a team around him, who in turn build cars around him. Leaving that behind and going into something completely different could leave him high and dry a la Raikkonen at Ferrari.He enjoys the rallies themselves, but not the travelling, recce's, etc.
Understandable - after 10 years with zero competition, I'd be looking for a new challenge aswell.
WTCC is an interesting choice. At 38, he's far too old for F1 so it's either touring cars or GT's.
I simultaneously admire and am frustrated by his loyalty to Citroen. They obviously know he's one of, if not the, best drivers of anything around so are doing anything to keep him but it frustrates me that he hasn't moved to another team to prove that it's about him and not his machinery.
Also, sounds like Citroen are going to enter the WTCC, I'm guessing with the C5, so maybe it's as much an occasional retirement project than the intensity of the WRC.
EDLT said:
I don't think he said he was bored, he did speak out about the 'four-day rallies' (two day events dragged over four) that we have this year.
True - but that's what the spectators want. Short-burst special-stages were getting a bit anaemic.I don't think he's bored but I think he might be tired, and you know what they say about not being able to withstand the temperature in culinary workplaces.
Twincam16 said:
EDLT said:
I don't think he said he was bored, he did speak out about the 'four-day rallies' (two day events dragged over four) that we have this year.
True - but that's what the spectators want. Short-burst special-stages were getting a bit anaemic.I don't think he's bored but I think he might be tired, and you know what they say about not being able to withstand the temperature in culinary workplaces.
And somehow, I don't think the guy who could theoretically win the championship after the next rally is tired and 'can't stand the heat'.
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