11 Oct 12

Saluting Seb:
why Loeb’s
natural
successor
is a big fan

Sebastien Loeb's former team-mate who became a bitter rival during a few heated moments in the FIA World Rally Championship last season remains a big admirer of the Citroen legend, who secured his ninth world crown in France last weekend.

Former Junior world champion Sebastien Ogier left Citroen for Volkswagen Motorsport last winter following several high-profile disputes between the French aces. However, Loeb’s one-time understudy has nothing but admiration for the man who helped to secure his WRC debut back in 2008 and guided him during his early years as a Citroen driver.

“To be honest it was a very nice experience to be team-mates with him,” said Ogier, pictured right with Loeb in March 2011. “I was very young in the WRC and I learned a lot from him and the team. We had some moments like everybody know last year but we had a good relationship. I don’t see him away from the race but when I see him in the race we are talking together.”

Ogier credits Loeb for inspiring him to follow his dream of becoming a WRC driver, adding: “For sure [the inspiration] was Sebastien Loeb. When I was young he was really dominating the championship, he was French and was a good example to follow. He started like me in the Rallye Jeunes selection organised by the French federation. I realised from him that it could be possible to make it because he is not coming from a rich family or something like me. It’s because he had talent and took a chance. It inspired me to do the same and in the end I reached the WRC.”

With Loeb only contesting a partial WRC campaign in 2013, the 38-year-old has stated that he expects Ogier to battle his current Citroen team-mate Mikko Hirvonen to succeed him as world rally champion next season.