From wrc.com
World Rally Championship leader, Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb has said that he is unlikely to mount an all-out bid for victory on Neste Oil Rally Finland this weekend.
Citroen ace Loeb, who is 17 points clear in the drivers’ standings after seven rounds, admits the high-speed gravel event is not one of his favourites and the risks required to win are too great given his current advantage in the title fight.
“We’re going to be up against highly-motivated rivals who are ready to defend their territory,” said Loeb, a three-time winner already this season.
“The titles at the end of the season are still our main priority and victory in Finland isn’t an out-and-out objective. Depending on how I feel I’ll see how hard I want to push. So far I’ve felt very much at ease on gravel in the Citroen DS3 WRC. If that’s how I feel in Finland, it’ll give my confidence an extra boost.”
Loeb, who is co-driven by Daniel Elena, claimed his first and only Rally Finland victory in 2008, when he defeated Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen in a close fight.
“It’s not my favourite terrain,” he admitted.
“Maybe these roads don’t suit my natural style of driving. On the other hand the Finns are very much at home on them. They probably feel they’re taking fewer risks in an environment they know like the back of their hand. I remember that I had to give 200 per cent to win this rally and I don’t think I will take those risks again.”
Despite only winning in Finland on one previous occasion, the seven-time champion’s record on the Jyvaskyla-based event is impressive: his lowest finish since 2004 is third and he has finished second three times.
World Rally Championship leader, Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb has said that he is unlikely to mount an all-out bid for victory on Neste Oil Rally Finland this weekend.
Citroen ace Loeb, who is 17 points clear in the drivers’ standings after seven rounds, admits the high-speed gravel event is not one of his favourites and the risks required to win are too great given his current advantage in the title fight.
“We’re going to be up against highly-motivated rivals who are ready to defend their territory,” said Loeb, a three-time winner already this season.
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| Sebastien Loeb, Citroen (Photo: Citroen Racing) |
“The titles at the end of the season are still our main priority and victory in Finland isn’t an out-and-out objective. Depending on how I feel I’ll see how hard I want to push. So far I’ve felt very much at ease on gravel in the Citroen DS3 WRC. If that’s how I feel in Finland, it’ll give my confidence an extra boost.”
Loeb, who is co-driven by Daniel Elena, claimed his first and only Rally Finland victory in 2008, when he defeated Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen in a close fight.
“It’s not my favourite terrain,” he admitted.
“Maybe these roads don’t suit my natural style of driving. On the other hand the Finns are very much at home on them. They probably feel they’re taking fewer risks in an environment they know like the back of their hand. I remember that I had to give 200 per cent to win this rally and I don’t think I will take those risks again.”
Despite only winning in Finland on one previous occasion, the seven-time champion’s record on the Jyvaskyla-based event is impressive: his lowest finish since 2004 is third and he has finished second three times.