8 replies to this topic

[elgo]

2/11/08


Loeb and the Citroen team reflect on a fifth title  
Third place on Rally Japan today netted Sebastien Loeb his fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship title from only six full seasons of WRC competition.

This score takes Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena clear of the record they previously shared with Juha Kankkunen and, more especially, Tommi Makinen, who was the only driver before them to rack up four consecutive championship wins (1996 to 1999).

After a jubilant return to the Citroen service area in Sapporo this afternoon Loeb reflected on his achievement. "It's a fantastic feeling," beamed Sebastien. "Along with Daniel and everyone in the team, the objective we set ourselves for this year was to win another world crown, and it's tremendously satisfying to have met that target today. I really wanted to wrap up the title here in Japan to enable us to go into Wales Rally GB with a totally free mind. That made the weekend very long and very frustrating, and I have to say that it wasn't much fun. Our C4 and our Pirelli tyres worked very well together on this event, though, and we did what we could to keep any thoughts about the championship out of our minds, but it wasn't easy. The title just seemed to loom larger after every stage, and it was well worth the wait in the end!"

"I cannot say whether this year's title is any finer than the others," continued Seb. "I will always have special memories of our first crown and I don't want to give the impression that winning is something you get accustomed to; it's just that each title feels different. One thing that has been the same each time is the thrill of being able to share our joy with everyone in the team. They have always given us a car with the potential to challenge for victory, and this is their title, too. That includes Dani Sordo and Marc Marti whose own results contributed to our success. Our thoughts now turn to Cardiff where we will try to make it a championship double for Citroen..."

"It's been a long year, but winning the title is such a great feeling," agreed Daniel Elena. "This is our fifth world crown together, and each one has given me tremendous pleasure. I'm not interested in the statistics, though; what counts the most is enjoying the stages, profiting from the terrific atmosphere within the team and working with Seb."

After the podium ceremony, team boss Olivier Quesnel was clearly moved by his first title as the new boss of Citroen Sport: "It's very, very satisfying," he said. "The fact that Sebastien and Daniel have sewn up the Drivers' title means we have now achieved half the target we set ourselves before the start of the season. We will take time to celebrate today's result with all the Citroen Sport staff back at our base in Satory, but we will then immediately re-focus with a view to wrapping up the Manufacturers' crown in Wales.”

[Rainmaster]

He is a class act, congrats to him

[JayStorm]

God of rallying right now. But you have to question his competition a bit.

Doubt he'd have won 5 in a row in the late 90s.

It's fantastic though.

[Argento Reloaded]

JayStorm, on Nov 2 2008, 06:46 PM, said:

God of rallying right now. But you have to question his competition a bit.

Doubt he'd have won 5 in a row in the late 90s.

It's fantastic though.

Agreed.

I think he must win a new title with other car than Citroen to confirm his quality!

[mikathegreat2]

Well done Loeb & to Citroen aswell! Been a great year for them, winnig more WCC's & creating the coolest looking car ever!!! Pity they won't be putting the GT into production, maybe in 2030!

[JayStorm]

It does look one cool car, definately.

I forgot that there's still one more round. Bah, he'll probably win that one too, and easily.

[mikathegreat2]

BTW change your sig Jay   !

[maure]

Was it a good fight? I lost track of the season a few months back. Gotta get the videos one of these days.

[elgo]

Tbh I followed the results but didn't watch all the rallies.I watched Monte Carlo and Argentina,and more recently,Catalunya.
Loeb was not as dominant as I thought  he'd be.
Yep,he should change to Ford and win there,something like when Rossi changed to Yamaha.
And I agree,the citroen is a beauty!!