19 May 12

Loeb: speed not
key on Acropolis

Sebastien Loeb says the quickest driver won't necessarily be the winner of the Acropolis Rally, which is based in Loutraki from 24-27 May, and forms round six of the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia.

The Citroen Total World Rally Team ace has claimed victory in Greece on two previous occasions. He points to the need to be consistent over a loop of stages rather than trying to go fastest on every single test as being key to success on the rough and rocky passes located west of the capital Athens.

“Some stages are on very smooth and quick roads,” said Loeb. “Others, however, are littered with rocks which are not kind to the suspension. Depending on the heat, tyre management can have a major impact on the outcome of the race. Often, the time set on a single stage isn’t that significant. You need to look at the result for the entire loop before starting to draw any conclusions. Obviously, I’ll be aiming to win. I had the potential to win in 2011 and I am determined to do so this year.”

Mikko Hirvonen will partner Loeb in a second factory Citroen DS3 WRC. He was third on the Acropolis Rally in 2011 after winning in 2009.

Loeb currently tops the WRC drivers’ standings with Hirvonen in third position, 21 points behind his French team-mate.

Photo: McKlein