After a sensational return to the WRC at Rally Mexico, can anyone stop Sébastien Loeb winning in Corsica next weekend?
The nine time world champion’s last full WRC season was in 2012, but that didn’t stop him and co-driver Daniel Elena leading the gravel event in Mexico in their Citroën C3 WRC – and in nine appearances in Corsica, they have won the event four times (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
Having not competed in Corsica since 2008, Loeb's main challenge might be the new stages – like the opening 30.46 mile La Porta – Valle di Rostino test. That said, 63% of this year’s stages have been changed, with the introduction of brand new speed tests in Cap Corse and Désert des Agriates, located to the north and west of Bastia respectively. And with the rally held in early April on the hilly Mediterranean island, the weather may also have a role to play.
"Having recently driven the C3 WRC on gravel, I got my bearings very quickly during our tests in Corsica, even though the road surface was different,” said Loeb. I started with Kris Meeke’s basic set-up and settled upon something very close to his settings pretty quickly, but which suited me. The feeling was pretty good at the end of my testing days. We'll have to wait and see where we stand in relation to everyone else.
“After our performance in Mexico, I hope we will be on the pace again, especially as I've always been comfortable on tarmac, not least in Corsica. In any case, it's a place and an event that I have always enjoyed, even if it's certainly not the easiest rally. The roads are apparently faster than when I last competed here, although there are still plenty of narrow, technical and bumpy stages, but they are all going to be new for me so it won't be easy to make pace notes for the entire route."
Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena wear Stilo WRC Zero helmets.
