The Frenchman has starred in the first half of the FIA World Rally Championship season and also finished a career-best fourth overall last time out at Rally Italia Sardegna - despite the Alghero event being just his third start in a Puma.
A limited programme means Loubet skips next week’s Safari Rally Kenya (23 - 26). Although disappointed not to be in Africa, he’s working towards the series’ return to Europe for some fast gravel this summer.
“To be honest, I already feel very pleased and lucky to have seven rallies in the WRC this year. So I want to thank my partners for giving me the chance to do these rallies, because I am very grateful.
“I love Estonia and Finland,” he said, “and my results have been not so bad when I was there in the R5 car before.”
Reflecting on his fourth place on the Italian island, Loubet insisted he was still driving with plenty in reserve.
He also believes the result has silenced some doubters after a torrid previous season and a half in a 2C Competition-prepared i20.
“After last year, a lot of people doubted me,” he explained. “Last year was a strange season, and I think - with what I had in my hands - it was impossible to do anything. Now, I think people are starting to believe in me.
“But honestly, I was not at my maximum in Sardinia. Italy was not the rally to go to the maximum - if you do that, I don’t think the car would survive. The important thing was to find a good rhythm and I was able to do that.
“Maybe it would have been possible to make the podium for the first time there: if Dani [Sordo] had a problem or if [Ott] Tänak wasn’t so lucky with the cancelled stages on Friday.
“So, yes - I could have been in the top three, but this result is good for me. To be honest, I don’t set the targets right now. I just continue to drive like I am, to learn and to keep enjoying what I am doing,” he added.
Finland
Italy
Hungary