LOEB READY FOR WRC RETURN – IF HE WANTS IT

SEBASTIEN LOEB BELIEVES that his speed is still good enough to secure him a seat in the World Rally Championship – if he wants one.

But the nine-time world champion’s first choice for next season is to remain in the Peugeot-hansen World Rallycross team, providing the French manufacturer can develop the 208 RX into a potential Volkswagenbeater in 2018.

Loeb tested Citroen’s C3 WRC for the first time on gravel last week and pronounced himself happy with his pace. The nine-time world champion admitted he would be interested in a couple of WRC rounds with Citroen and has clearly done his homework on the logistics of returning from January’s Dakar Rally to make the start of the Monte Carlo opener.

“It’s complicated,” he said, “and it would be really short [preparation time], but it’s possible.”

Talking to Autosport after a day of driving the C3 on the dirt near Girona, Loeb said:

“It was, for me, a question if I would be able to drive with the WRC on gravel and if I would be able to drive correctly. The feeling was quite good and it came quite quickly. I felt comfortable in the car.”

Beyond that test, Loeb said there was no plan with Citroen. Instead he is focusing his efforts on January’s Dakar Rally, where he will chase his maiden win in what’s almost certain to be Peugeot’s final outing at the South American marathon.