Loubet targets confidence alongside new co-driver Veillas

Loubet starts the FIA World Rally Championship's penultimate round next week (26 - 29 October) with new partner Veillas – a man used to working with a factory WRC team, having previously co-driven for Sébastien Ogier. The 45-year-old Frenchman becomes Loubet’s third co-driver in 12 months, following Nicolas Gilsoul and Vincent Landais.

Twenty-six-year-old Loubet tested his Ford Puma Rally1 in Czech Republic last week and admitted he was looking forward to being back on asphalt for the first time since Croatia Rally in April.

“The test was good,” he said. “The weather was sunny, it was nice – the feeling was good. For next week, I don’t want to think too much to the result. With a new co-driver I just want to make a good rally. It's the first rally with Benjamin, so I try to build the confidence and do a normal rally."

The Corsican is well aware his chances of a top result could depend on the weather across the Czech Republic-German-Austrian event.

“If the rain is coming,” said Loubet, “if it does get wet, then the road will get more and more dirty with all of the cars passing and running further back on the road could be difficult. We have to see what is coming.”