Friday September 28, 2012
Loeb to skip most of 2013 rallying season
PARIS: Eight-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb will miss most of the 2013 season, his Citroen team said yesterday, opening the door to the Frenchman’s future participation in the World Touring Car Championship.
The 38-year-old Loeb, who is leading this season’s drivers’ standings in his bid for a ninth title, will only compete in “three or four” races, including the opening Monte Carlo Rally, according to co-pilot Daniel Elena.
“I’m not burnt out, I want to race,” insisted Loeb, who has 74 victories in 161 rallies.
Citroen, in an announcement on the sidelines of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, said: “The most successful duo in the history of the WRC still love competing, despite now taking this step back.
“They will therefore be taking part in a partial racing programme next year, starting at the legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo, which opens the 2013 season between 15th and 20th January.”
Citroen, aiming for an eighth constructors’ title, also announced that they had signed a sponsorship deal with the Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi, the amount and length of which were not revealed. Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen, recruited early this year by Citroen, will however race all of the 2013 season, while a third Citroen DS3 WRC will be entrusted to the United Arab Emirates driver Khaleed al-Qassimi.
“Thanks to the partnership agreed with Abu Dhabi, the seven-time World Championship-winning team will continue to compete in rallying, entering three Citroen DS3 WRCs in 2013,” Citroen said.
“The works team will feature the Mikko Hirvonen-Jarmo Lehtinen crew for the entire season. As passionate and quick as ever, Sebastien Loeb-Daniel Elena will join them in a partial racing programme which is due to start at the Rallye Monte-Carlo.”
Citroen added: “In these tough economic times, Citroen have taken the view that it is essential for they to remain involved in motorsport in order to support their determined and energetic commercial approach.
“At the same time, it was equally important to find a way of reducing the brand’s financial commitment to the team’s operating costs.” — AFP
- Gritty Indonesia give mighty China a huge scare
- BAM must stop rewarding mediocrity or be doomed
- Chong Wei urges team-mates to put Cup exit behind
- BAM secretary: It all depends on Kien Keat and Boon Heong now
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Nicol David sails into quarter-finals of British Open in 35 minutes
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- British Open: Ramy Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Malaysia to host 2016 World Table Tennis meet
- Giro stage called off after heavy snow overnight
- Ryan Palmer sizzles with 62 to seize lead at Colonial
- LPGA plans 12-hole rounds in water-logged Bahamas
- British Open: Ramy Ashour racks up 38th successive win
- Clock ticking for next golden generation
- Kingston leads, McIlroy in Wentworth woe
- Haas, Waldorf set pace at Senior PGA Championship
- Palmer takes control with a 62 at Colonial
- Yong-dae believes luckless run in world meet will end in Guangzhou
- Easier for Pandelela without Ruolin and Koltunova
RSS
