Autoblog

WRC crowns driver and manufacturer champs, any guesses who? [spoilers]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Citroën, Racing

Brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen, for a shocking announcement: Sébastien Loeb has won the 2012 World Rally Championship title, and his Red-Bull-sponsored Citroën team took home the manufacturer's trophy.

For those keeping track, this is Loeb's ninth WRC title, and the season-clinching win at Rally France - in front of fans from his hometown of Haguenau, no less - marks the 75th time Loeb has driven to victory in the series. So dominant was Loeb in 2012 that his title has been secured with two races remaining on the calendar.

Sébastien Loeb has announced that he will be in something of a retirement mode in 2013, but it remains to be seen what the 38-year-old Frenchman will do with all his new-found spare time.

WRC crowns driver and manufacturer champs, any guesses who? [spoilers] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sebastian Loeb to compete in X Games RallyCross [w/video]

Drew Phillips — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Citroën, Celebrities, Racing

Things just got a lot more interesting for this year's X Games RallyCross event, with eight-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb announcing his entry into the competition. The French driver's participation in X Games comes thanks to Travis Pastrana, who sent out a personal invitation to Loeb via their shared connection with Red Bull. Loeb readily accepted Pastrana's challenge/invitation, and is set to make his North American racing debut later this month.

Loeb will come fully prepared for the race with a specially built rally car developed by Citroën Racing. The Citroën DS3 XL (X Games + Loeb) will feature a 2.0-liter engine producing 545 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque as well as a slightly different design than Loeb's WRC-spec ride with the radiator moved to the rear of the car and the spare tire removed.

While Loeb will undoubtedly be the favorite going into the event, you can be sure that the rest of the regular Global RallyCross field - including Tanner Foust, Ken Block and former WRC champion Marcus Grönholm - will be doing their best to make it hard on the WRC driver.

You can watch footage of Pastrana's invite and Loeb's response in the videos below, or scroll down to read the official announcement regarding Loeb's entry into the X Games courtesy of Red Bull.

Continue reading Sebastian Loeb to compete in X Games RallyCross [w/video]

Sebastian Loeb to compete in X Games RallyCross [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sebastien Loeb seals record eighth World Rally Championship despite off-track crash

Noah Joseph — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:51:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Citroën, UK

You take the good with the bad. It's a motto that applies to any number of situations in life, and certainly does in motorsports. That's what Sebastien Loeb and his longtime co-pilot Daniel Elena found this weekend in Wales.

In the midst of a hard-fought battle with Jari-Matti Latvala in a Ford Fiesta RS, Loeb and Elena were on their way back to the paddock when they collided over a blind crest with another car. The Citroën DS3 WRC was damaged virtually beyond repair, but the position in which they retired was still good enough to clinch a record eighth drivers' title in World Rally Championship to join the manufacturers' title claimed for the team last month.

The Citroën mechanics managed to piece the car back together enough to pose for some photos, which you can see in the high-res image gallery. But even if it wasn't the ideal picture-perfect finish for the undisputed dominant force in rallying, it still didn't stop Loeb from celebrating his place as the most accomplished driver in all of motorsport.

Continue reading Sebastien Loeb seals record eighth World Rally Championship despite off-track crash

Sebastien Loeb seals record eighth World Rally Championship despite off-track crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Citroen claims seventh WRC title on back of Loeb win in Spain

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:21:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Citroën

If there was ever any doubt, let it now be put to rest, as Citroën has claimed its seventh Manufacturers' Title - its fourth in a row - in the World Rally Championship.

The results were sealed when multiple champion Sebastien Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena won this past weekend's Rally of Spain. The victory ensured that the Citroën World Rally Team could not be caught by Ford, even though there is still one round to go before the 13-rally calendar draws to a close in Wales next month.

Although the Manufacturers' Title is all tied up, however, the Drivers' Title is still in contention. Loeb holds an eight-point lead over his nearest rival, Mikko Hirvonen. Sebastien Ogier in the other Citroën DS3 WRC was also in contention for the title until his car broke down with engine problems.

That leaves Loeb in the lead for his eighth consecutive world championship, but with Hirvonen not far behind in his Fiesta RS, nothing's for sure just yet. Details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Citroen claims seventh WRC title on back of Loeb win in Spain

Citroen claims seventh WRC title on back of Loeb win in Spain originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sebastien Loeb re-signs with Citroën for another 2 years in WRC

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Citroën

Go back a few days and nobody knew for sure whether Sebastien Loeb would be back on the rally stage next year. The seven-time world champion has little left to prove, and with new manufacturer-backed teams joining the paddock from Mini and Volkswagen, the competition looks to get that much more fierce. But, after an unusually long period of contemplation, Loeb and Citroën - the French team for whom he's driven since joining the WRC in 1999 - have announced a renewal of their contract for another two years.

The deal secures Loeb as well as his longtime co-driver Daniel Elena (pictured together above) for the 2012 season, with an option 2013. Loeb reportedly doesn't see himself staying in the WRC through 2014, but there's no telling what the temptation of a tenth title could bring should he prove able to continue his complete domination of the championship for the past eight years into another couple of titles. Follow the jump for the official announcement, which tellingly comes from the manufacturer as opposed to the team.

Continue reading Sebastien Loeb re-signs with Citroën for another 2 years in WRC

Sebastien Loeb re-signs with Citroën for another 2 years in WRC originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don't

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

2010 Race of Champions - click above for high-res image gallery

Düsseldorf's Esprit Arena hosted this year's Race of Champions, making it the first time the event has been held in Germany and the first time it's been held indoors. The 1.2 kilometer track, consisting of an outside and an inside loop, would play host to one of the finest collections of motorsport champions ever assembled: Formula One World Champions Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, 500cc motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan, Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and British Touring Car champ Jason Plato. However, it was a rookie from a country not known for its motorsports that took the fight to all of them and walked away with the belt. Make the jump for our detailed recap.

Gallery: 2010 Race of Champions

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don't

Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don't originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Loeb takes 2010 WRC title

Zach Bowman — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Citroën, Racing

Sebastien Loeb has effectively secured his seventh World Rally Championship title, netting his 60th carrier win by taking the Rally de France in the process. With a total of 226 championship points under his belt and two rallies left in the schedule, there's simply no way for any of the other competitors to get within arm's reach of the WRC gold. The Citroën team managed to pull off a one-two win at the French rally with Loeb's teammate Dani Sordo walking away with the second fastest time. Sordo is currently fifth in the point standings.

Rounding out the podium in France was Peter Solberg, who currently occupies fourth place in points. Gymkhana guru Ken Block managed a respectable 12th place finish, though that result isn't enough to gain the American racer any points. Currently Block is sitting at the bottom of the Championship rankings with zero points to his name.

With both the Spanish and British rallies left on the schedule, all eyes will be on who will take the bronze in this year's WRC. With Jari-Matti Latvala currently holding onto 144 points in third place and Peter Solberg trailing by just 11 points in fourth, the bottom rung of the podium could easily go either way. Thanks for the tips, Joe and Novac!

[Source: WRC | Image: Lionel Cironneau/AP/Getty]

Loeb takes 2010 WRC title originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Next Stop, Le Mans: FIA reportedly puts the brakes on Sebastien Loeb's grand prix debut

Noah Joseph — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

What do you do after making it to the pinnacle of rallying and winning a record-shattering six consecutive world championships? Anything you want - or so you'd think - but Sebastien Loeb is running into some roadblocks that appear to have derailed his plans to try his hand at Formula One.

The French rally ace who recently secured his sixth WRC title in a row was tipped to potentially drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso at the upcoming F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Considering that the team is owned by the same company that sponsors Loeb's Citroën rally car, and that the outfit seems to almost exclusively employ drivers named Sebastien (to say nothing of the championship already having concluded), it all seemed entirely likely. But despite having participated in a number of test sessions, the FIA has reportedly deemed the 35-year-old driver unsuitable for F1 racing, refusing to grant him the Superlicense needed to compete.

So what's next on Loeb's plate? Although he's recently been linked with a drive for USF1, Loeb realizes he probably won't get another shot at F1 at this point in his career. But he isn't done with circuit racing altogether. Having scored an impressive podium finish at Le Mans in 2006 for the Pescarolo team and tested the Peugeot 908 LMP1 (run by the same automaker as his rally team) a couple of times already, the champ is looking at potentially joining the Peugeot Le Mans team again in the near future.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty/Red Bull Racing]

Next Stop, Le Mans: FIA reportedly puts the brakes on Sebastien Loeb's grand prix debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 World Rally Championship decided at Rally Great Britain

Noah Joseph — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, UK

2009 Rally Great Britain - Click above for high-res image gallery

Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes an exciting season in motorsport. For some, it's witnessing the dominant driver shatter records while sailing to one victory after another. For others, it's the down-to-the-wire action that leaves championships undecided until the very last minute.

For decades, Formula One was dominated by the same few teams - Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Benetton/Renault - winning the title every year until Jenson Button and Brawn GP broke the cycle this season. On the other end of the spectrum, French rally ace Sebastien Loeb has been dominating the World Rally Championship with Citroen for the past five years. But as this year's championship drifted 'round the corner to its final round in Great Britain this weekend, the title remained up for grabs. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.

Gallery: 2009 Rally Great Britain

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2009 World Rally Championship decided at Rally Great Britain

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 World Rally Championship decided at Rally Great Britain originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toro Rosso reportedly replaces Sebastien Bourdais with 19-year-old Jamie Alguersuari

Noah Joseph — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

Those pulling for Sebastien Bourdais will undoubtedly be disappointed by the latest reports emanating from the Formula One paddock. After winning the now-defunct Champ Car title four times in a row, the French driver switched to Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso last season, but while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel scored race wins, Bourdais never managed to do better than a couple of seventh-place finishes. Now, after his third early retirement this season at the German Grand Prix this past weekend, reports indicate that he's been given the axe.

Taking Bourdais' seat at STR for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix will be Jamie Alguersuari, a Red Bull prodigy, recently promoted reserve/test driver for both Red Bull Racing and reigning champion in the British Formula 3 championship. Reports suggest that Alguersuari's promotion to the race seat serves as preparation for his full-time campaign next season and was fueled, so to speak, by a pending sponsorship deal with Spanish oil company Repsol, which supports Alguersuari's career. If the reports are confirmed and the 19-year-old racer starts the Hugarian GP for STR, he'll be the youngest ever to race in F1.

While the news undoubtedly comes as a disappointment for Bourdais and his fans, it surely disappoints another French multiple-champion as well. As rumors have escalated over the past few days about Bourdais' departure, five-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb publicly threw his hat into the ring to replace his countryman. Loeb previously tested an F1 car for sister team Red Bull Racing, and has long contemplated a switch of disciplines. But while Loeb's declaration infuriated Bourdais, but it looks like his move from WRC to F1 will have to wait a little longer.

[Source: Autosport | Image: Peter Fox/Getty]

Toro Rosso reportedly replaces Sebastien Bourdais with 19-year-old Jamie Alguersuari originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Red Flag: Race of Champions moves to China

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, China

2008 Race of Champions - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Still think of the Race of Champions as an elitist European event? Think again. Organizers have announced that that the annual face-off is scheduled to head to China this year.

The Race of Champions, for those unfamiliar, is a year-end event in which the top drivers from various motorsport disciplines - including F1, rally, touring cars, Le Mans...even motorbikes, drifting or the occasional NASCAR pretty-boy - compete against each other in a series of heats on varied machinery around a dedicated track built inside a major sports arena. The event crowns two winners: the solo Champion of Champions, and the Nations Cup in which drivers pair up to represent their home countries. After a decade in the Canary Islands, the race was held for three consecutive seasons at the Stade de France before moving to Wembley Stadium for the past two years, but a new arrangement will see this year's race held in Beijing at the Bird's Nest stadium built for last year's Olympic games. Previous champions have been predominantly rally drivers (including three titles for Sebastien Loeb and two for Mattias Ekstrom), while Germany's contingent of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel have taken the national honors. Who will be crowned champion this year? Tune in on November 3-4, only two days after the Formula One season wraps up in Abu Dhabi (assuming they can get the Yas Island circuit ready in time) to find out.

[Source: F1-Live]

Red Flag: Race of Champions moves to China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Loeb gets free Red Bull F1 test for fifth rally championship

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

Last year, Sebastien Loeb swapped his WRC Championship winning Citroen Xsara for a test in Renault's F1 car (and former Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen hopped in the Citroen). This year, Loeb's going to take a turn in Red Bull's F1 runner for a test at the Catalunya circuit on November 17th -- Red Bull also sponsors Loeb's WRC team. The difference this time: instead of a quiet get-to-know-the-car session, Loeb will be running with the other teams and drivers during an official F1 testing session. Although he'll be piloting the Renault-powered RB4 with a mission not to embarrass himself, he has no plans to vacate his Citroen rally seat. After five straight WRC championships, piloting an F1 car is just what you do in your time off, for fun. Must be nice...

[Source: F1 Live]

Loeb gets free Red Bull F1 test for fifth rally championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Loeb clinches record 5th World Rally Championship in Japan

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Japan

As grippingly dramatic as it was in its closing rounds, yesterday's Brazilian Grand Prix wasn't the only motor sport event held this past weekend. In fact, it wasn't the only top-level championship decider, either, as Sebastien Loeb sailed to his record-beating 5th consecutive World Rally Championship yesterday at Rally Japan.

The achievement beats Loeb's own quadruple title record, which he shared with Tommi Makinen and Juha Kankkunen (both Finns). But with the fifth under his belt, Loeb emerges from the ranks as the sole quintuple champion. Even more remarkable is that championships were earned in succession and uninterrupted. Also remarkable was that Loeb secured the title one rally early, and didn't even have to win the event to lock up the championship. Follow the jump to read how it happened.

[Source: Autosport]

Continue reading Loeb clinches record 5th World Rally Championship in Japan

Loeb clinches record 5th World Rally Championship in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Loeb pilots new Citroen C4 WRC to victory in Monte Carlo

Noah Joseph — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, PSA

There's smug satisfaction and then there's smug satisfaction. And the folks over at Citroen Sport are enjoying some serious smug satisfaction after taking a brilliant 1-2 finish in the Monte Carlo Rally. Taking first AND second is enough to make any team happy, but to compound that, this was the first race for Citroen's factory rally team since returning to the World Rally Championship, and the first race for their shiny new baby, the Citroen C4 WRC.

First place was taken by three-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb and his co-pilot Daniel Elena. To make the victory even sweeter, Loeb was fresh back at the wheel after recovering from a broken arm. Claiming the checkered flag at Monte Carlo set a new record for Loeb as his 29th career rally win. This was also the fourth time Loeb won in Monte Carlo, tying the record shared by rally legends Sandro Munari, Walter Rohrl and Tommi Makinen.

The second Citroen factory team driven by Dani Sordo took second place behind Loeb and ahead of Marcos Gronholm's Ford Focus. Not a bad day for Citroen and for Loeb, who are off to a great start to claim another championship.

[Source: Citroen]

Loeb pilots new Citroen C4 WRC to victory in Monte Carlo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rallying to the cause: Citroen announce "by Loeb" edition C2 & C4

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 07:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Budget, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, PSA

Capitalizing on their participation in rally racing has emerged as the marketing ploy du jour for carmakers. Far be it for us to complain when that nets us exciting new hot models from Japanese manufacturers like Subaru and Mitsubishi, but their French compatriots just don't seem to know how to translate racing prowess to road cars. Case in point, the all-show-no-go "by LOEB" Special Series hatchbacks from Citroen.

Parent company PSA says it's released the special editions to honor their all-star driver Sebastien Loeb, but this strikes us as just as big a disgrace to an esteemed racing name as the (thankfully departed) Fiat Stilo Michael Schumacher Edition.

The "special" editions start with the C4 coupe and C2, but badge engineers didn't go anywhere near the engine bay. All the changes are purely cosmetic. According to Citroen, "The C4 by LOEB offers drivers a harmonious blend of sporting passion and day-to-day driving pleasure." That should tip you off, because racing beasts like the Subie STi and Mitsu Evo are anything but harmonious.

Both the C2 and C4 by LOEB are available (overseas only, thankfully) in red or black. They both get rear spoilers, upgraded wheels and special badging to let everyone know the driver's a poser. Inside surfaces are all black with red trim: the steering wheel and shift knobs are black leather with red top-stitching, the seats are black fabric with red trim, little red chevrons are embroidered all over the place, and are complimented by select aluminum accents.

Poor Sebastien. You'd think after winning the WRC title three times, his name would be gracing something with a bit more bite.

Glutton for punishment? Follow the jump for the press release and more images.

[Source: PSA Peugeot Citroen]

Continue reading Rallying to the cause: Citroen announce "by Loeb" edition C2 & C4

Rallying to the cause: Citroen announce "by Loeb" edition C2 & C4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Loeb takes 3rd World Rally Championship from home

Noah Joseph — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, PSA

Rally racing star Sebastien Loeb was crowned World Rally Champion for a third time in a row...a little early. Loeb's title was secured at a race he wasn't even at, let alone racing in. And he didn't race in the stage before that one, either. Plus there are still two stages left to go, but the title's his whether he comes back to race or not.

The champ watched the Rally of Australia on Sunday from his home in France as he recuperates from a mountain bike injury. His main rival, two-time champion Marcus Gronholm (driving a Ford Focus) failed to finish in the top four in Australia, giving Loeb an air-tight twenty-one point lead, securing the title early. Between the two of them, Gronholm and Loeb won 13 out of 14 races so far this season, virtually locking out the rest of the field.

Two rally stages remain, in New Zealand (November 17-19) and Wales (December 1-3). But with the pressure off, the French driver is likely to focus on his healing and rehab a little longer before hopefully returning for the final stage in Wales. The win is even more remarkable when you consider that Loeb races for Kronos Racing, a private team supported by Citroen Sport, while other rivals race for full factory works teams.

Congratulations to Sebastien along with wishes for a full recovery as he sets his sights on the future to break the records of Finnish drivers Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Makinen, who each hold four championships. Next season Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena leave their old Citroen Xsara behind and move into the new C4.

[Source: Motorsport.com]

Loeb takes 3rd World Rally Championship from home originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Oct 2006 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sebastien Loeb makes history in Rally Japan

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Sebastien Loeb scored a narrow win in the World Rally Championship's Rally Japan this past weekend, the 27th WRC victory of his career, making him the winningest driver in the history of the FIA's rally championship.

Loeb's achievement is all the more remarkable because he only made his WRC debut in 2004, breaking Carlos Sainz' previous record in only four seasons. Loeb has put in a dominating performance this year in his Kronos Racing Citroen, winning seven events in only eleven starts to lead the driver's championship by 33 points over BP/Ford's Marcus Gronholm.

Loeb could well be even stronger next year, when he returns to the Citroen factory team piloting the all-new Citroen C4. Meanwhile, he's on track for his third World Rally Championship heading into the next event in Cyprus.

[Source: Rally Japan]

Sebastien Loeb makes history in Rally Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments