Sébastien Loeb
Sébastien Loeb (French pronunciation: [sebastjɛ̃ lœb]; born 26 February 1974) is a French professional rally, racing and rallycross driver. He is the most successful driver in the World Rally Championship (WRC), having won the world championship a record nine times in a row. He holds several other WRC records, including most event wins, most podium finishes and most stage wins. Loeb retired from full time WRC participation at the end of 2012. He currently drives part time in the WRC for M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, and full time in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) for Bahrain Raid Xtreme.[1]
Originally a gymnast, Loeb was a four time Champion of Alsace and one time champion of the French Grand East. He switched to rallying in 1995 and won the Junior World Rally Championship in 2001. Signed by the Citroën World Rally Team for the 2002 season, he and co-driver Daniel Elena took their maiden WRC win that same year at the Rallye Deutschland. After finishing runner-up to Petter Solberg by one point in 2003, Loeb took his first drivers' title in 2004. Continuing with Citroën, he went on to take a record ninth consecutive world title in 2012. Loeb is a tarmac expert, having won all but three of the WRC rallies on that surface in which he has participated between 2005 and 2013. In 2018, Loeb won the Spanish round of that year's championship, in a rare entry six years after his retirement as a full-time WRC driver.[2]
Loeb made his debut at the Dakar Rally in 2016 and has participated in it every year since bar 2020. He has a best finish of second in 2017, 2022 and 2023. Besides his success in rallying, Loeb is a four-time winner at the Race of Champions, after taking home the Henri Toivonen Memorial Trophy and the title "Champion of Champions" in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2022. In 2004, he won the Nations' Cup for France with Jean Alesi. In 2006, he finished second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Loeb was named the French Sportsman of the Year in 2007 and 2009, and made knight of the Legion of Honour (Légion d'honneur) in 2009. In 2012, he won the rallycross final in his first appearance at X Games XVIII. The same year, Loeb founded his own motorsports team, Sébastien Loeb Racing; which participates in various racing series. The following year, he participated in the FIA GT Series for Loeb Racing and scored four wins and finished fourth overall. In 2014 and 2015 he had a successful stint in the World Touring Car Championship, scoring six wins in total and with a best finish of third overall in both seasons. From 2016 to 2018 he also participated in the FIA World Rallycross Championship, with two wins and a best position of fourth overall.
In 2021, he tested the Ford Puma Rally1 car several times, before joining the M-Sport Ford WRT for a part-time drive in the 2022 WRC season.[3][4] He took his 80th WRC victory at the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally, barely a week after finishing second at the 2022 Dakar Rally. Loeb later also won the 2022 Extreme E Championship alongside Cristina Gutiérrez; for Lewis Hamilton's Team X44.[5] Loeb has also competed in other motorsports like the GT World Challenge Europe, the Porsche Supercup, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Andros Trophy and other racing categories across many disciplines. Loeb is the only racing driver to win an event in four different FIA-affiliated world championships since winning the Andalucía Rally in 2022.[citation needed]
Career
[edit]Rallying
[edit]Early career
[edit]Loeb initially competed as a gymnast and became a four-time Alsatian champion, once champion of the French Grand East, and fifth in the French championship.[6] He broke off school in 1992 but resumed taking classes in 1994, aiming at vocational training in electrical engineering. On 12 September 1994, in parallel with his classes, he started working as an electrician at the Socalec company near Haguenau Airport, where he was the oldest apprentice and already noted for his daring/reckless driving style. On this level, he could count on the understanding of his boss, who was himself fascinated by speed and owned a Ferrari Testarossa 512 TR.[7]
In 1995, at age 21, he quit his job and classes and definitively turned his attention to racing. In 1998, he started entering events in the French Citroën Saxo Trophy series, winning the title in 1999. Guy Fréquelin, Citroën Sport's team principal, would serve as Loeb's mentor as he entered the Junior World Rally Championship in 2001, becoming the series' first champion by winning five of the six events. The only event he didn't win this year was Rallye Sanremo: for this event, he was elected as a driver for the WRC championship, driving a Citroën Xsara WRC alongside Philippe Bugalski and Jesús Puras. In only his third rally with a World Rally Car, he surprisingly hounded Peugeot tarmac specialist and eventual victor Gilles Panizzi to the finish, and ended up second.
2002–03
[edit]The 2002 season was Loeb's first as a WRC driver with the Citroën Total World Rally Team, although the team only participated in seven rounds in the build-up to their full entry the following year. Loeb started the season by provisionally winning the Monte Carlo Rally, after racing under appeal due to a two-minute time penalty incurred by an illegal tyre change during the second day. Citroën considered the penalty too severe but later withdrew the appeal, and Subaru's Tommi Mäkinen then took a record fourth consecutive Monte Carlo win. Loeb later took his maiden victory at the Rallye Deutschland in Germany, edging out Peugeot's Richard Burns.
In 2003, his first full season in the championship, Loeb won three WRC events, Monte Carlo, Germany and Sanremo, before losing to Petter Solberg in the Wales Rally Great Britain, also losing the championship to him by just one point. Loeb was asked by his team not to chase Solberg at all costs so that he didn't jeopardise Citroën's lead in the constructors' championship. Loeb's reputation grew as he defeated his more illustrious teammates – Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae – over the course of the season.
2004
[edit]In the 2004 season, Loeb dominated the WRC scene in a similar way to Michael Schumacher's domination of Formula One the same year, by winning six events and taking six runner-up spots to securely give him the drivers' title, 36 points clear of second-placed Solberg. His six WRC victories tied the record for victories in one season with fellow Frenchman Didier Auriol, who won six events in 1992. He was also responsible for Citroën's second manufacturers' title in a row.
Originally known as a tarmac specialist, 2004 was the year Loeb proved himself capable of winning on other surfaces as well. He won the snow-based Swedish Rally, becoming the first non-Nordic to win the event. On gravel, he triumphed in the Cyprus Rally, Rally of Turkey and the Rally Australia. On tarmac, he continued his success in Monte Carlo and Germany.
2005
[edit]In 2005, with victory in the ninth round in Argentina, Loeb became the first to win six consecutive rallies, beating Timo Salonen's record of four from 1985. Having already won the season-opening Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo, he also became the first to win seven in a season, beating his (and Didier Auriol's) own record of six wins in a season. Loeb was in a position to clinch the title while leading the Wales Rally Great Britain, but after it was announced that the last two stages of the rally would be abandoned due to the death of Markko Märtin's co-driver Michael Park in an accident on stage 15, Loeb deliberately incurred a two-minute penalty to drop him to third place and avoid retaining his title in such circumstances. He went on to secure the title by finishing second to Peugeot's Marcus Grönholm at the next rally in Japan.
Loeb eventually extended his win record to ten and won the title with a 56-point margin, breaking a 25-year-old record; Walter Röhrl's margin over Hannu Mikkola in 1980 was 54. Loeb set several other records during the season as well. He won all twelve stages in the 2005 Tour de Corse in France, which marked the first time a driver had won every stage of a WRC rally. Loeb's twelve podium and thirteen points-scoring finishes in a row were also new records in the series.
2006
[edit]Citroën's parent company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, pulled both manufacturers out of the WRC at the end of 2005, but Citroën planned to return in 2007 with the C4 WRC, and developed the car during 2006. Loeb was closely involved with this as he was guaranteed the leading role in the team at the comeback. In the meantime, a 'gap year' beckoned in the privateer ranks, namely with Citroën-sponsored Kronos Racing entered as the Kronos Total Citroën World Rally Team.
In order to score on the first round in Monte Carlo, Loeb was initially forced to activate the SupeRally rules for retiring competitors, having spun off the road on day one. Although he did manage to fight his way back to second place, it was the first time he had ever been beaten to the finish (namely by fellow double world champion Marcus Grönholm) on these roads in the Xsara WRC. This outcome was mirrored on the following month's Swedish Rally, with Grönholm again the man to whom Loeb was forced to give best, placing the duo in an early runaway 1–2 position in the points standings.
But the Frenchman's bridesmaid status was not to last, and racking up a triumph on the ensuing Rally Mexico – the first of five on the trot that season – propelled him into a championship lead he was never to lose. He tied Carlos Sainz's record number of 26 individual rally victories in August with a fifth consecutive victory in Germany. With his subsequent victory in Japan, the world record of 27 victories and counting eventually became his. His victory in Cyprus put him on the verge of a third consecutive World Rally Championship title.
Shortly after, Loeb broke his right humerus in a mountain-biking accident near his home in Switzerland, causing him to miss the last four rallies of the season (Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Wales). In spite of this, Loeb had accumulated such a huge point lead before Turkey that Marcus Grönholm's failure to finish third or better in Australia handed Loeb the 2006 championship crown by one point. He received the news at home via an Internet video link to the rally HQ. Due to the time difference, he made do with early morning coffee instead of the customary champagne, calling the whole experience "strange".
In 2022, on the WRC Backstories Podcast with Becs Williams, Loeb revealed that he even considered to co-drive for Colin McRae for the rest of the season due to the injury. As co-drivers themselves scored points, Loeb could have possibly scored points for himself as a driver to try and win the title. The plan never came to fruition though as Grönholm's crash meant Loeb won the title anyway.[8]
2007
[edit]For 2007, Loeb returned as an official Citroën driver, with the new Citroën C4 WRC. He won the 75ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo, the first race for the new C4, following that with a solid second place after Grönholm, in Sweden, to set a two-point lead over the Finn after two of 16 rounds. At the first Rally Norway, Loeb went off and lost eight minutes during SS12 while chasing Grönholm and the leader, Mikko Hirvonen. On the next stage, he made another mistake and lost nine minutes. He eventually finished 14th in the rally and dropped to third in the championship standings. He won 8 of the 18 stages in this rally. Loeb won the next rally, the 21º Corona Rally México, 55.8 seconds clear of Grönholm.
He then followed this success with his third and fourth season victories on the Portuguese and Argentinian rallies. Characteristically, he was once more to be found in the lead on the seventh round, the Rally d'Italia in Sardinia. On new stages on the final leg to those of the previous year, however, Loeb was once more to lament error and the surrender of probable victory, this time after crashing and breaking his car's suspension in a ditch. He left the lead in the hands of Grönholm, who won to propel himself seven points ahead of Loeb at the top of the championship standings. A second loss to the Finn in as many years on the Acropolis Rally then extended the deficit to nine points over the championship's summer break.
Loeb occupied his recess by, amongst other engagements, competing in the Shell Donegal International Rally on 15, 16 and 17 June, partially as preparation for the coming Rally Ireland World Championship round that November. He scored a comprehensive victory, albeit only after being given a scare by the pace of tenacious private Subaru-driver Mark Higgins, who had a 45-second lead at the end of day one. Punctures afflicted upon his rival eventually settled the contest.
Ambitions of finally scoring victory on Rally Finland proved once more unrealised, with Loeb relegated to third place behind the pacy natives Grönholm and Hirvonen. Rallye Deutschland, as was traditional, differed somewhat. At the scene of his first victory and on a rally where he had never subsequently lost, Loeb was left unexpectedly to fend off the challenge not of the Finn, but of a privateer, his one-time teammate and championship returnee François Duval. He eventually triumphed and reduced some of his championship points deficit.
A very close battle on the gravel stages of Rally New Zealand ended with the second closest win in WRC history – Loeb finished only 0.3s behind his main rival. The next two rounds allowed the French driver to regain some points, as he won both tarmac events – Rallye Espana, where his teammate Dani Sordo took second place and two points from Grönholm, and Rally France.
Rally Japan was another dramatic event – Loeb got the chance to take the lead in the Championship after Grönholm's early mistake,[9] but he was unable to, as his co-driver's mistake caused the C4 to go off the road on one of the stages of second leg. Both drivers ended with no points after finally retiring from the event.[10] In Ireland, during 1st Rally Ireland almost the same happened – Marcus Grönholm overcooked a slippery right corner on one of the early stages, trying to keep a fast pace, and had to retire from the rally. Loeb made use of his rival's mistake and, by making no major mistakes, although having some suspension-related problems with keeping pace at the beginning,[11] he added 10 points to his account, moving ahead of the Finnish driver just one round before the season's end. In Wales he was not fighting for the win, focusing mostly on securing his advantage, finishing the event third – on 2 December 2007 Loeb became World Rally Champion for the fourth time in a row.[12]
2008
[edit]Loeb started the 2008 season with a record fifth win in Monte Carlo.[13] On the second rally of the year, 2008 Swedish Rally, he crashed out during day one. Although he re-joined the rally to collect manufacturers' points, the team later decided to retire him due to a damaged engine. After winning in Mexico and Argentina, Loeb had a crash with Conrad Rautenbach on a road section in Jordan, from which he could only recover to take tenth place in the rally. He went on to win two events, and then finish close third to the Ford factory team duo Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala at the Rally of Turkey.
Loeb later notably won the Rally Finland ahead of Hirvonen. This was the fourth time in the event's 58-year history that a non-Nordic driver won the rally, after Carlos Sainz in 1990, Didier Auriol in 1992 and Markko Märtin in 2003. This started a string of five victories for Loeb. In Germany, New Zealand and Spain, Citroën also took double wins as his teammate Dani Sordo took three runner-up spots in a row.
Going into the penultimate round of the season, the 2008 Rally Japan, Loeb led Hirvonen by 14 points and needed a third place to secure the world drivers' title. Finishing behind Ford's Hirvonen and Latvala, Loeb broke Juha Kankkunen's, Tommi Mäkinen's and his own record of four titles and became the first five-time world champion in rallying.[14]
After clinching the World Rally Championship, Loeb edged out Latvala to take his first Wales Rally GB win, a feat which also helped secure his team their first manufacturers' title since 2005, from 2006 and 2007 victors Ford.
2009
[edit]Loeb started the year by winning Rally Ireland for the second time since 2007. He then won his first Rally Norway ever, after a fierce battle with Mikko Hirvonen, lasting throughout the very final stage. Being first on the road through all three days, Loeb kept his lead, in the end winning with 9.8 seconds over Hirvonen. Loeb continued his good form by winning over Hirvonen in Cyprus, marking his career 50th victory, and in Portugal. His victory in Argentina, the fifth in a row in this country, was also his fifth victory in a row since the start of the season.
At the Rally d'Italia Sardegna, Loeb had a puncture after going off the road and dropped from third to fourth.[15] Although he passed Petter Solberg for the final podium spot, he still finished fourth due to a time penalty for a safety rule violation; co-driver Daniel Elena had unfastened his safety belts before the crew stopped the car for a tyre change.[16] At the Acropolis Rally, Loeb crashed out from third place.[17] On Rally Poland's return to the WRC, Loeb had another crash but he continued in the event under superally rules. After team orders issued for the Citroën Junior Team drivers and a late mistake by Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala, Loeb found himself seventh but had lost the championship lead to Hirvonen by one point.[18]
By winning the Rally Catalunya, Loeb reduced the deficit to Hirvonen in the title race before the final event of the year; once again trailing by a single point.[19] The Frenchman gained the championship by winning the final event of the year, the Rally GB. Victory was secured partly due to an incredible performance over SS8 and SS9, where in the course of only two stages Loeb extended his lead in the rally over Hirvonen from 2.4s to 25s.[20][21]
2010
[edit]The 2010 WRC season started with the snow-based Swedish Rally, where Loeb finished second behind Ford's Mikko Hirvonen. He went on to take a clear championship lead by winning the following three gravel events: Rally México, Jordan Rally and Rally of Turkey. In New Zealand, Loeb finished third in a tight battle that saw the top five finish within 26 seconds of each other. In Portugal, Loeb narrowly lost the win to his countryman Sébastien Ogier of the Citroën Junior Team, who took his debut win in the World Rally Championship. In the following Rally Bulgaria, a new event in the series and the season's first tarmac rally, Loeb won while Citroën scored the WRC's first 1–2–3–4 in seventeen years.[22]
At the 60th Rally Finland, Loeb beat Citroën privateer Petter Solberg to the final podium position, behind Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala and Ogier. He went on to win the Rallye Deutschland for the eighth time in a row, marking the first time a driver has won a WRC rally eight times.[23] After a fifth place in Japan, Loeb secured a record-extending seventh consecutive World Rally Championship title by winning his home event, the Rallye de France. As the Rallye de France–Alsace had replaced the Tour de Corse as the French round of the WRC, Loeb ended up clinching the title on a final stage that was held in his home town of Haguenau, Alsace.[24][25][26]
During the course of the season, he was on the podium of all events but one (Japan where he finished fifth), and ended up the season with a record 105 points over runner-up Jari-Matti Latvala.
2011
[edit]The 2011 season brought a new generation of World Rally Cars. Now at the wheel of a Citroën DS3 WRC, Loeb started his year by finishing sixth at the Rally Sweden. He went on to win in Mexico for the fifth time in row, after teammate Sébastien Ogier crashed out from a narrow lead.[27] In Portugal, Loeb finished second to Ogier and took his first Power Stage win, collecting three more points from the final stage.[28] At the Jordan Rally, held during the Arab Spring, the entire first day was cancelled. Loeb placed third behind the closest-ever finish in the history of the World Rally Championship.[29] He then beat Ford's Mikko Hirvonen to the win at the Rally d'Italia Sardegna.
In Argentina, Loeb won after a tight three-way battle, taking the lead from Ogier on the final stage and finishing 2.4 seconds ahead of Hirvonen.[30] At the next event, the Acropolis Rally in Greece, Loeb had to settle for second behind Ogier. In the high-speed Rally Finland, he beat Jari-Matti Latvala to become the first non-Nordic driver to win twice in the event's 60-year history.[31] In August, Loeb signed a two-year contract extension with Citroën.[32] At the Rallye Deutschland, Loeb held a close lead ahead of Ogier after the first day and Citroën decided to freeze the situation. A puncture later dropped Loeb out of contention and he finished behind his teammate. This ended his record win streak in Germany and was the first time that he had lost in a tarmac-based event since the 2006 Monte Carlo Rally. Tension in the team grew; David Evans of Autosport wrote that "it's war between the two Sebs".[33]
Before Australia, Loeb held a 25-point lead in the championship ahead of Ogier. During the first day of the rally, both Sébastiens crashed out. Loeb later gained a point by climbing to tenth place after Citroën ordered Ogier to slow down.[34] In his home event, the Rallye de France, Loeb took the lead from the start but soon fell victim to a rare engine failure in his DS3 WRC and had to retire. As Ogier beat Mini's Dani Sordo to the win, Loeb now tied the lead in the championship with Hirvonen, and Ogier was only three points adrift. At the Rally Catalunya, Loeb took his fifth win of the season and broke Markku Alén's record (801) for most stage wins in the world championship.[35] He carried an eight-point lead over Hirvonen into the season-ending Wales Rally GB. Loeb took the rally lead from Latvala on the third stage, but lost it to Hirvonen by 0.4 seconds on stage six. However, Hirvonen soon went wide, spun and broke his radiator, which in turn caused severe engine problems. As Hirvonen was unable to restart, Loeb secured his eighth consecutive world championship. This title moved him ahead of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher in terms of major motorsport championships won.[36] While running in second place behind Latvala, Loeb retired from the rally due to a road section collision with a spectator who had driven his car on the wrong side of a narrow road.[37][38]
2012
[edit]Loeb began his 2012 season by beating Mini's Dani Sordo to a record sixth win in the Monte Carlo Rally. He also secured the maximum points by recording the fastest time for the power stage.[39] In Sweden, after hitting a snowbank on stage seven, Loeb was forced out of the fight for the number one spot. He finished sixth and gained three extra points by again winning the power stage.[40] Loeb took his second victory of the season at the Rally Mexico, ahead of his new teammate Mikko Hirvonen.[41] In Portugal, he crashed out from third place on the night stages of the first day, after misunderstanding a pacenote.[42] The Rally Argentina was dominated by the Citroëns and Loeb drove to his 70th WRC victory.[43] At the Acropolis Rally in Greece, he cruised to an easy win after Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala and Petter Solberg ran into several problems and dropped out of contention.[44]
He went on to continue his WRC win streak in New Zealand and in Finland, where he edged out Hirvonen to take his third win in the event.[45] This marked the fourth double win in a row for the Citroën duo. After beating Latvala to the win in Germany, Loeb finished second to the Finn at the Wales Rally GB, after a tight battle for the position with Solberg.[46]
In late September, Loeb announced his retirement from full-time rallying, stating that he would compete only in selected events during the upcoming season. He added that he is interested in taking on a new challenge such as the World Touring Car Championship.[47] In his home event, the Rallye de France, Loeb built a cushion over Latvala and title rival Hirvonen on the first two days. He then held Latvala at bay on the wet roads on Sunday, securing a record ninth drivers' title in the World Rally Championship and aiding Citroën to its eighth manufacturers' title.[48] German magazine Auto Bild noted that Loeb was now two world championship titles clear of Schumacher and equal to Valentino Rossi, and dubbed him "the best rally driver of all time and a shining light in motorsport."[49] Former world champion Ari Vatanen opined that Loeb's records are unlikely to be broken.[50]
2013
[edit]Loeb competed in five rallies of the 2013 season: Monte Carlo, Sweden, Argentina, Germany and France.[51] He started his partial WRC season with a win in Monte Carlo,[52] and finished last to Sébastien Ogier in Sweden, followed by another win in Argentina. Ahead of his home rally in France, it has been speculated it could be his WRC swansong.[53][54] It was confirmed on 1 October 2013 as Loeb will continue racing for Citroën, this time for World Touring Car Championship.[55][56] However, Loeb crashed out on the first stage of day three. The rally was eventually won by Sebastien Ogier.[57]
2014–20
[edit]Returning to the WRC after being absent in 2014, in 2015 Loeb participated in the Monte Carlo Rally and finished 8th after a crash. In 2016 and 2017 he did not contest any rounds.
He drove 3 rounds in 2018 and won his last rally with Citroën, the Rally Catalunya.[2]
He signed to race part time with the Hyundai World Rally Team for the 2019 season.[58] He got one podium in the Rally Chile[59] and participated in 6 rounds. He closed out 2019 with a win at the non-championship rally, the Rallye du Var with his partner Laurène Godey as his co-driver.[60]
In 2020, he continued with Hyundai and finished 6th at the Monte Carlo Rally and got a podium at Turkey, which were the only two rounds he entered in that season.[61]
On 1 October 2020, he announced that he would be leaving Hyundai World Rally Team. He did not participate in the WRC in 2021.[62]
2021
[edit]On the 29th November 2021, Loeb's co-driver Daniel Elena announced his retirement.[63]
Loeb then tested the Ford Puma Rally1 for M Sport,[64] later announcing that would compete for the British squad part time in the WRC with new co-driver Isabelle Galmiche.[65]
2022
[edit]At the Monte Carlo Rally, Loeb participated alongside Isabelle Galmiche for M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, barely having recovered from the Dakar Rally and with very little time behind the wheel of a WRC car since 2018. He battled his former rival Sébastien Ogier (co-driver Benjamin Veillas) all rally long, till Ogier got a puncture in the penultimate stage. At the final stage Loeb led by 9.5s, and Ogier got a 10-second penalty for a jumpstart. Loeb won his 80th WRC rally[66] by 10.5s over Ogier, first for a manufacturer other than Citroën World Rally Team and his first with a co-driver other than Daniel Elena. He also became the oldest driver to lead and win a WRC Rally. Galmiche became the first woman co-driver to win a WRC event since Fabrizia Pons in 1997.
At the Rally de Portugal,[67] Loeb and Galmiche were 10.1 seconds behind rally leader Elfyn Evans (co-driver Scott Martin) in SS3, but won the next stage and took 10.6 seconds out of their deficit; therefore putting them in the overall rally lead by 0.5 seconds over Evans. At the first corner of SS5 though, Loeb slid wide into a barrier, completely destroying his rear-right suspension.[68] On Saturday, Loeb had another mechanical issue which forced him to retire.
The next rally they took part in was the Safari Rally.[69] The last time Loeb participated in that rally before 2022 was in 2002. Loeb and Galmiche had good speed and even managed to win a stage on Friday, but Loeb's engine had a small fire and wouldn't start up later. They retired for the day. Even though they were out of contention, they won two more stages on Sunday and ultimately recovered to eighth place.
Loeb and Galmiche then took part in the Acropolis Rally, where they ran for the lead alongside M Sport teammate Pierre-Louis Loubet (co driver Vincent Landais). Both crews traded stage wins, but Loeb was leading with Friday done. On the next day though, Loeb again encountered issues and had to retire. [70]
2023
[edit]Loeb alongside his partner and co-driver Laurène Godey won the Azores Rallye on their first attempt, in a Škoda Fabia R5.[71]
Dakar Rally and Rally Raid
[edit]2016
[edit]Loeb made his debut at the 2016 Dakar Rally in the Peugeot 2008 DKR.[72] He led the rally by 7 minutes and 48 seconds but lost the lead to teammate Stéphane Peterhansel by over 8 minutes in SS6.[73] Peterhansel won the event. Loeb won 4 stages and finished 9th, over 2 hours and 22 minutes from the lead.
2017
[edit]At the 2017 Silk Way Rally Loeb had to abandon due to a finger injury which he had sustained in stage 9. He had been leading the overall standings up to that point.[74]
Loeb also took his career best finish of 2nd at the 2017 Dakar Rally by winning 5 stages and just 5 minutes from the leader, Stéphane Peterhansel.[1]
2018
[edit]Loeb retired on day five of the 2018 Dakar Rally and could not continue any further as his co-driver Daniel Elena had a tailbone injury.[75] Prior to the retirement he had won only one stage, SS4.
2019
[edit]Peugeot withdrew from World Rallycross and from Rally-Raid hence at the 2019 Dakar Rally Loeb and Elena competed with a private Red Bull backed 2017 Peugeot 3008 DKR.[76][77] They finished 3rd with 4 stage wins, 1 hour and 54 minutes away from winner Nasser Al-Attiyah.[78]
2020
[edit]Loeb did not compete in the 2020 Dakar Rally. He announced in December that year that he will return in 2021 with the Prodrive run Bahrain Raid Xtreme team.[79][80]
2021
[edit]At the 2021 Dakar Rally Loeb made his debut for the Prodrive run Bahrain Raid Xtreme Team. He received a 5-minute penalty for speeding in SS4, which left him furious.[81] He retired in SS8 after getting two punctures and being stranded for 5 hours.[82] He also experienced many navigation issues with his co driver Daniel Elena.[83] Elena and Loeb later in 2021 announced that they had split.[63]
2022
[edit]Loeb took part in the inaugural World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) this time with new co-driver, Belgian Fabian Lurquin; again driving the BRX Hunter.
They began the year at the Dakar Rally, finishing 2nd to Toyota Gazoo Racing's Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel by 27 minutes and 48 seconds; even in spite of many mechanical issues and punctures.[84]
At the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge they finished 6th overall after having a driveshaft failure on day 1 and two punctures on day 5, the final day. The transmission broke on the first day, but their determination to finish meant that they scored valuable points. In the last stage they had two punctures and drove cautiously for the last 200 km. They still managed to score 28 points, bringing the total to 112 and led the W2RC standings by one point from Al Attiyah and Baumel.[85]
At the Rallye du Maroc, Loeb and Lurquin ran among the leading times, but in Stage 4 encountered a mechanical issue they couldn't fix, and hence dropped back in the overall rally standings. They continued to run the rally for earning points in the W2RC standings. They finished the rally with two stage wins.
Loeb earned his first victory in the rally-raid discipline on the Andalucia Rally, but finished second in the overall championship obtaining a total of 149 points, 20 points behind Al-Attiyah, who won the title.
2023
[edit]Loeb entered the second season of the World Rally-Raid Championship in 2023, driving an upgraded BRX Hunter.
He kicked off the year by finishing 2nd again behind Toyota Gazoo Racing's Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel, with the final deficit to car #200 being 1 hour, 20 minutes and 49 seconds. He won seven stages in total with six consecutive stage victories from stage 8 to 13, which is a Dakar Rally record. [86] Loeb bounced back from suffering massive time losses on stage 2, where his BRX Hunter suffered multiple punctures, despite receiving a spare wheel from teammate Orlando Terranova. He also lost time with mechanical issues, with a tradrod breakage on stage 3 and a minor crash on stage 5, from which he was able to recover from and continue. [87] [88] [89] Overheating problems at the start of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge set the Frenchman back, and he would virtually fall out of title contention with a crash at the Sonora Rally in Mexico.
Racing
[edit]Le Mans and sports cars
[edit]As his WRC stature grew, Loeb began to participate in road racing events and tests. He first competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race in 2005, where he drove for the Pescarolo Sport team's No. 17 entry. Reportedly Loeb did much of his preparation for the race by running practice laps around the circuit in the Sony PlayStation 2 video game Gran Turismo 4 aboard a private jet.[90] In the race the car was plagued by incidents, but Loeb proved to be able to drive fast for his first race on a closed track. Loeb finished second overall in the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Pescarolo-Judd, between the two Diesel-powered Audi R10.
Free time in his WRC schedule allows him to race in the French GT Championship (FFSA GT) where he drove a Ferrari 550 Prodrive and a Porsche 911 GT3-RSR as well as in the French Carrera Cup where he achieved top-10 finishes. For 2012 Loeb launched Sébastien Loeb Racing which competes in FFSA GT and the European Le Mans Series. Loeb drove for his own team at the Circuit de Pau in the French Carrera Cup and won the race.[91]
Formula One
[edit]Loeb has had a number of Formula One tests. He first tested for Renault F1 at Paul Ricard in December 2007, in a switch that saw Heikki Kovalainen test Loeb's WRC car.[92] Red Bull, which became a major sponsor of the Citroën factory team during the 2008 season, rewarded Loeb for winning the WRC with a Formula One test in Red Bull Racing's 2008-spec Red Bull RB4. He first drove the car at Silverstone, and then took part in the first official Formula One winter test in Barcelona.[93] Loeb was eighth quickest of 17 drivers.[94]
Loeb continued to set his sights on a switch to Formula One in 2009. Following stories that fellow Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais was under threat at Toro Rosso,[95] Loeb told French newspaper L'Équipe that he was interested in replacing Bourdais at the Red Bull-backed team.[96] He intended to make his F1 debut at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which took place in November, after the WRC season finished, with a view to making the switch full-time for 2010.[97] However, this plan was scuppered when he was not granted an FIA Super Licence, rendering him ineligible to race in F1 for the foreseeable future as he had not done enough circuit racing at lower levels.[98] He had also been in contact with the US F1 Team about a possible drive for 2010.[99]
Loeb has also taken part in an official GP2 Series testing session after the 2009 season, where he drove for the David Price Racing team, finishing last of 25 drivers.
FIA GT Series and Porsche Supercup
[edit]Loeb participated in the 2013 FIA GT Series season, driving for Sébastien Loeb Racing which entered two McLaren MP4-12C cars. Loeb paired up with Portuguese driver Álvaro Parente in one of the cars while Frenchman Mike Parisy and Austrian Andreas Zuber were the driver pairing for the other Sébastien Loeb Racing car.[100] Loeb and Parente took a total of three qualifying race wins and one championship race win on their way to fourth place overall in the season. A number of reliability issues and racing incidents prevented the pair from scoring more victories.
Loeb also participated in two races of the 2013 Porsche Supercup season at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Circuit de Monaco circuits, both events being held as support category races for the 2013 Formula One season. Loeb finished 11th in Spain and 16th in Monaco.[101]
World Touring Car Championship
[edit]In June 2013 it was confirmed that Citroën were to enter the FIA World Touring Car Championship in 2014 with Loeb driving one of the factory supported cars built for new to 2014 regulations.[102] He was partnered by 4-time WTCC champion, 10-time ice racing champion and fellow Frenchman Yvan Muller,[103] José María López and Ma Qing Hua. In his first full season in circuit racing, Loeb won two races and scored six podiums on his way to third in the championship behind surprise champion Lopez and runner-up Muller. In the next season, he scored four wins and twelve podiums; again finishing third overall though with 61 more points. For the following season, contesting the Dakar Rally meant Loeb switched to Peugeot Sport and was not retained by Citroën for the 2016 WTCC season; which he expressed surprise at as he was hoping to contest for the WTCC title that season.[104]
FIA World Rallycross Championship
[edit]On 29 February 2016, it was officially revealed that Loeb is going to join the factory backed Swedish Team Peugeot-Hansen to participate in all 12 rounds of the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship, together with his Swedish teammate Timmy Hansen.[105] On 2 October, Loeb took his maiden victory in the Latvian round of the world championship.[106][107] With four podiums and six top fives, he finished fifth in the Supercar class drivers standings. In the next season, he scored six podiums but no wins and finished fourth overall. In his final season, he scored his last win at the World RX of Belgium. He scored seven podiums in total and again finished fourth overall, with 15 more points than the previous season. He returned with Team Special One in 2023, but before the 2023 World RX of Britain, his car set on fire, destroying his, his teammate Guerlane Chicherit and the team's truck, ruling them all out of the rest of the season.
Extreme E
[edit]2021
[edit]In 2020, Loeb Signed with Lewis Hamilton's Team X44 for competing in the Extreme E Championship alongside Spanish driver Cristina Gutiérrez.[108] They finished the season in 2nd behind Rosberg X Racing's Johan Kristoffersson and Molly Taylor. The teams were level on points but RXR were ahead on virtue of their 3 wins to X44's one win.[5]
2022
[edit]A few days after the 2022 Monte Carlo Rally it was announced that Team X44 retained their lineup of Loeb and Gutiérrez for the 2022 Extreme E Championship.[109]
They won the Copper X Prix, bringing them within contention of the title again.[110]
At the Energy X-Prix, Gutiérrez crashed and had to change the chassis, resulting in a penalty. Nonetheless, X44 won the crazy race, enabling them to race the final. Their rivals Rosberg X Racing did not make it to the final. X44 scored five crucial points in the Continental Traction Challenge, and ran fourth during the race, but were promoted to third due to the car ahead getting a Switch Zone speeding penalty. They therefore won the title by two points over RXR.[111]
Loeb and Gutiérrez finished the season with one win, four podiums, one pole and 86 points overall.
DTM
[edit]Loeb announced he would make a one-off appearance for AlphaTauri AF Corse alongside Felipe Fraga in the DTM Series at their 2022 season opener at the Algarve International Circuit.[112]
Loeb was replacing Nick Cassidy who had to race in Formula E. Loeb finished 16th in Race 1 and 18th in Race 2.
Other ventures
[edit]Pikes Peak Hill Climb
[edit]In April 2013, Loeb tested a Peugeot 208 T16 at Mont Ventoux.[113] Loosely based on the shape and design of the production 208, the T16 is a lightweight 875 kg (1,929 lb) vehicle that uses the rear wing from the Peugeot 908, and has a 3.2-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine, developing 875 bhp (652 kW; 887 PS) with the aim of competing at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.[114] Loeb won the event with a time of 8:13.878, smashing the previous record by a minute and a half.
Loeb's record was broken by nearly 15 seconds by Romain Dumas, driving the Volkswagen I.D. R in 2018.[115]
Race of Champions
[edit]2002
[edit]Loeb earned the title "Champion of Champions" by beating Marcus Grönholm in the final of the Race of Champions.
2004
[edit]Loeb alongside Jean Alesi Won the Nations Cup for France at the 2004 Race of Champions. Heikki Kovalainen defeated Loeb in the Individuals' Final. Loeb was also defeated in a special "World Champions Challenge" by Michael Schumacher.
2005
[edit]After being surprised by the young event rookie Heikki Kovalainen last year, he beat Tom Kristensen in the final to claim his second title.
2008
[edit]Loeb won the individual 2008 Race of Champions, becoming the second driver after compatriot Auriol to win the event more than twice.
2010
[edit]Loeb drove for Team France alongside four-time Formula One World Champion Alain Prost. In the individual event, he made it to the final for the seventh time but lost to surprise winner Filipe Albuquerque.
2022
[edit]At the 2022 Race of Champions Loeb defeated 4 time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel 3–1 in the Final to win the event.[116] He equals fellow French World Rally Champion Didier Auriol's record to win 4 Races of Champions.
X Games
[edit]In July 2012, Loeb debuted in the X Games in Los Angeles (X Games XVIII), facing his old rival Marcus Grönholm. Grönholm was hospitalised due to an accident in practice, and Loeb won the rallycross category gold medal well ahead of Ken Block, who was hampered for half the way to the finish line by a puncture.[117]
Media appearances
[edit]Loeb provided technical input to the off-road sections of the video game Gran Turismo 5, and in 2016, Milestone released the game Sébastien Loeb Rally Evo. In 2016, Loeb also played as a celebrity contestant in the French game show Fort Boyard.[118]
Personal life
[edit]Loeb was born in Haguenau, Alsace, France, the only child of Guy and Ingrid Loeb (who died in 2005 and 2012, respectively)[119] and grew up in Oberhoffen-sur-Moder.
Loeb was married to Séverine Meny, who ran the Loeb Events hospitality area during most rallies and also often replaced Daniel Elena as co-driver for non-championship races.[120] The couple also have a daughter. In 2019, Loeb and Meny reportedly separated.[citation needed]
Currently, Loeb's partner is Laurène Godey, who at times co-drives for him. They won the 2019 Rallye du Var.[60] Godey is seen accompanying Loeb at many events.
Loeb resides near Lausanne, Switzerland with Godey and his daughter.[121][122]
Loeb was made knight of the Légion d'honneur on 27 May 2009, by French president Nicolas Sarkozy.[123] He is a member of the "Champions for Peace" club, a group of 54 elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organisation.[124]
WRC victories
[edit]World Rally Championship victories (80) # Event Season Co-driver Car 1 21. ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2002 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 2 71ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2003 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 3 22. ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2003 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 4 45º Rallye Sanremo – Rallye d'Italia 2003 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 5 72ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2004 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 6 53rd Uddeholm Swedish Rally 2004 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 7 32nd Cyprus Rally 2004 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 8 5th Rally of Turkey 2004 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 9 23. OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2004 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 10 17th Telstra Rally Australia 2004 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 11 73ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 12 35th Propecia Rally New Zealand 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 13 2º Supermag Rally Italia Sardinia 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 14 33rd Cyprus Rally 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 15 6th Rally of Turkey 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 16 52nd Acropolis Rally 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 17 25º Rally Argentina 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 18 24. OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 19 49ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 20 41º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2005 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 21 20º Corona Rally México 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 22 42º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 23 50ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 24 26º Rally Argentina 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 25 3º Rally d'Italia Sardegna 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 26 25. OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 27 6th Rally Japan 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 28 34th Cyprus Rally 2006 Daniel Elena Citroën Xsara WRC 29 75ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 30 21º Corona Rally México 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 31 41º Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 32 27º Rally Argentina 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 33 26. ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 34 43º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 35 51ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 36 3rd Rally Ireland 2007 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 37 76ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 38 22º Corona Rally México 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 39 28º Rally Argentina 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 40 5º Rallye d'Italia Sardegna 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 41 55th BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 42 58th Neste Oil Rally Finland 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 43 27. ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 44 38th Repco Rally New Zealand 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 45 44º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 46 52ème Tour de Corse – Rallye de France 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 47 64th Wales Rally GB 2008 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 48 4th Rally Ireland 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 49 23rd Rally Norway 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 50 37th FxPro Cyprus Rally 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 51 43º Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 52 29º Rally Argentina 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 53 45º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 54 65th Rally of Great Britain 2009 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 55 24º Corona Rally México 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 56 28th Jordan Rally 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 57 10th Rally of Turkey 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 58 41st Rally Bulgaria 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 59 28. ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 60 Rallye de France - Alsace 2010 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 61 46º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 62 66th Wales Rally GB 2010 Daniel Elena Citroën C4 WRC 63 25° Rally Guanajuato México 2011 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 64 8° Rally d'Italia Sardegna 2011 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 65 31º Rally Argentina 2011 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 66 61st Neste Oil Rally Finland 2011 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 67 47º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2011 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 68 80ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 69 26° Rally Guanajuato México 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 70 32° Philips Rally Argentina 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 71 58th Acropolis Rally 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 72 42nd Brother Rally New Zealand 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 73 62nd Neste Oil Rally Finland 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 74 30. ADAC Rallye Deutschland 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 75 Rallye de France — Alsace 2012 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 76 48º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2012 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 77 81ème Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2013 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 78 33º Philips LED Rally Argentina 2013 Daniel Elena Citroën DS3 WRC 79 54º Rally RACC Catalunya – Costa Daurada 2018 Daniel Elena Citroën C3 WRC 80 90e Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo 2022 Isabelle Galmiche Ford Puma Rally1
Loeb provisionally won the Monte Carlo event in 2002 but was later docked two minutes for an illegal tyre change and demoted to second place. He also provisionally won the 2009 Rally Australia, but was penalised one minute to second place as his car was fitted with a non-regulation part.[125]
Loeb's win at the 2010 Rallye Deutschland was his eighth victory in a row there, marking a record for consecutive wins in a WRC event. He was the only driver to win the rally from its 2002 introduction to the WRC calendar, until 2011, when he was second and Sébastien Ogier won. Loeb was the first non-Nordic rally driver to win Rally Sweden (in 2004).
Racing record
[edit]Career summary
[edit]Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | World Rally Championship | Equipe de France FFSA | 3 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | NC |
2000 | World Rally Championship | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 2 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | NC |
Equipe de France FFSA | 2 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | |||
2001 | World Rally Championship | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 7 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 14th |
Automobiles Citroën | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 6 | |||
Junior World Rally Championship | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 5 | 5 | N/A | N/A | 5 | 50 | 1st | |
2002 | World Rally Championship | Automobiles Citroën | 8 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 18 | 10th |
Piedrafita Sport | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | |||
2003 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total | 14 | 3 | N/A | N/A | 7 | 71 | 2nd |
2004 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total | 16 | 6 | N/A | N/A | 12 | 118 | 1st |
2005 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total | 16 | 10 | N/A | N/A | 13 | 127 | 1st |
24 Hours of Le Mans | Pescarolo Sport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | DNF | |
2006 | World Rally Championship | Kronos Total Citroën WRT | 12 | 8 | N/A | N/A | 12 | 112 | 1st |
24 Hours of Le Mans | Pescarolo Sport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | N/A | 2nd | |
2007 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total WRT | 16 | 8 | N/A | N/A | 13 | 116 | 1st |
2008 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total WRT | 15 | 11 | N/A | N/A | 13 | 122 | 1st |
2009 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total WRT | 12 | 7 | N/A | N/A | 9 | 93 | 1st |
2010 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total WRT | 13 | 8 | N/A | N/A | 12 | 276 | 1st |
2011 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total WRT | 13 | 5 | N/A | N/A | 9 | 222 | 1st |
2012 | World Rally Championship | Citroën Total WRT | 13 | 9 | N/A | N/A | 10 | 270 | 1st |
Global RallyCross Championship | Hansen Motorsport | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 21 | 17th | |
2013 | FIA GT Series | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 12 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 82 | 4th |
Porsche Supercup | Porsche | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
World Rally Championship | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | 4 | 2 | N/A | N/A | 3 | 68 | 8th | |
FIA European Rallycross Championship | Hervé Lemonnier | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 11 | 27th | |
2014 | World Touring Car Championship | Citroën WTCC | 23 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 295 | 3rd |
2014–15 | Andros Trophy – Elite Class | Saintéloc Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
2015 | World Touring Car Championship | Citroën WTCC | 24 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 365 | 3rd |
World Rally Championship | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 6 | 18th | |
Porsche Supercup | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
2016 | FIA World Rallycross Championship | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 12 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 4 | 209 | 5th |
Dakar Rally | Peugeot | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | N/A | 9th | |
2017 | FIA World Rallycross Championship | Team Peugeot-Hansen | 12 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 6 | 214 | 4th |
Dakar Rally | Peugeot | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | N/A | 2nd | |
2018 | FIA World Rallycross Championship | Team Peugeot Total | 12 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 7 | 229 | 4th |
World Rally Championship | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | 3 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 43 | 13th | |
Dakar Rally | Peugeot | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | N/A | DNF | |
2018–19 | Andros Trophy – Elite Pro Class | Exagon Engineering | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A |
2019 | World Rally Championship | Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT | 6 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 51 | 11th |
Dakar Rally | Peugeot | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | N/A | 3rd | |
2019–20 | Andros Trophy – Elite Pro Class | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 163 | 13th |
2020 | World Rally Championship | Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT | 2 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 24 | 10th |
2020–21 | Andros Trophy – Elite Pro Class | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 111 | 15th |
2021 | Extreme E | Team X44 | 5 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 121 | 2nd |
Dakar Rally | BRX | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | N/A | DNF | |
Ultimate Cup Series GT-Touring Endurance – UGT3 B | Vortex V8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
2021–22 | Andros Trophy – Elite Pro Class | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 | 19th |
2022 | World Rally Championship | M Sport Ford WRT | 4 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 35 | 11th |
Extreme E | Team X44 | 5 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 4 | 86 | 1st | |
World Rally-Raid Championship | BRX | 4 | 1 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 164 | 2nd | |
Dakar Rally | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 84 | 2nd | ||
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters | AlphaTauri AF Corse | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32nd | |
2022–23 | Andros Trophy - Elite Pro Class | Sébastien Loeb Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 17th |
2023 | World Rally-Raid Championship | BRX | 4 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 112 | 4th |
Dakar Rally | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | 87 | 2nd | ||
FIA World Rallycross Championship | Special ONE Racing | 3 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 29 | 9th | |
Extreme E | Abt Cupra XE | 4 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 55 | 10th | |
Ultimate Cup Series Endurance GT Touring Challenge - 3A | Krafft Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 6th | |
2024 | Dakar Rally | BRX | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 1 | N/A | 3rd |
24H Series - 992 | Orchid Racing Team | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 6th* |
* Season still in progress.
Complete WRC results
[edit](key)
Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | WDC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Equipe de France FFSA | Citroën Saxo Kit Car | MON | SWE | KEN | POR | ESP Ret |
FRA 19 |
ARG | GRE | NZL | FIN | CHN | ITA 21 |
AUS | GBR | NC | 0 | ||
2000 | Sébastien Loeb | Citroën Saxo Kit Car | MON | SWE | KEN | POR | ESP | ARG | GRE | NZL | FIN Ret |
CYP | GBR 38 |
NC | 0 | |||||
Equipe de France FFSA | Toyota Corolla WRC | FRA 9 |
ITA 10 |
AUS | ||||||||||||||||
2001 | Sébastien Loeb | Citroën Saxo Kit Car | MON 15 |
SWE Ret |
POR | 14th | 6 | |||||||||||||
Citroën Saxo VTS S1600 | ESP 15 |
ARG | CYP | GRE 19 |
KEN | FIN 28 |
NZL | FRA 13 |
AUS | GBR 15 |
||||||||||
Automobiles Citroën | Citroën Xsara WRC | ITA 2 |
||||||||||||||||||
2002 | Automobiles Citroën | Citroën Xsara WRC | MON 2 |
SWE 17 |
FRA | ESP Ret |
CYP | ARG | GRE 7 |
KEN 5 |
FIN 10 |
GER 1 |
ITA | NZL | GBR Ret |
10th | 18 | |||
Piedrafita Sport | AUS 7 |
|||||||||||||||||||
2003 | Citroën Total | Citroën Xsara WRC | MON 1 |
SWE 7 |
TUR Ret |
NZL 4 |
ARG Ret |
GRE Ret |
CYP 3 |
GER 1 |
FIN 5 |
AUS 2 |
ITA 1 |
FRA 13 |
ESP 2 |
GBR 2 |
2nd | 71 | ||
2004 | Citroën Total | Citroën Xsara WRC | MON 1 |
SWE 1 |
MEX Ret |
NZL 4 |
CYP 1 |
GRE 2 |
TUR 1 |
ARG 2 |
FIN 4 |
GER 1 |
JPN 2 |
GBR 2 |
ITA 2 |
FRA 2 |
ESP Ret |
AUS 1 |
1st | 118 |
2005 | Citroën Total | Citroën Xsara WRC | MON 1 |
SWE Ret |
MEX 4 |
NZL 1 |
ITA 1 |
CYP 1 |
TUR 1 |
GRE 1 |
ARG 1 |
FIN 2 |
GER 1 |
GBR 3 |
JPN 2 |
FRA 1 |
ESP 1 |
AUS Ret |
1st | 127 |
2006 | Kronos Total Citroën WRT | Citroën Xsara WRC | MON 2 |
SWE 2 |
MEX 1 |
ESP 1 |
FRA 1 |
ARG 1 |
ITA 1 |
GRE 2 |
GER 1 |
FIN 2 |
JPN 1 |
CYP 1 |
TUR | AUS | NZL | GBR | 1st | 112 |
2007 | Citroën Total WRT | Citroën C4 WRC | MON 1 |
SWE 2 |
NOR 14 |
MEX 1 |
POR 1 |
ARG 1 |
ITA Ret |
GRE 2 |
FIN 3 |
GER 1 |
NZL 2 |
ESP 1 |
FRA 1 |
JPN Ret |
IRE 1 |
GBR 3 |
1st | 116 |
2008 | Citroën Total WRT | Citroën C4 WRC | MON 1 |
SWE Ret |
MEX 1 |
ARG 1 |
JOR 10 |
ITA 1 |
GRE 1 |
TUR 3 |
FIN 1 |
GER 1 |
NZL 1 |
ESP 1 |
FRA 1 |
JPN 3 |
GBR 1 |
1st | 122 | |
2009 | Citroën Total WRT | Citroën C4 WRC | IRE 1 |
NOR 1 |
CYP 1 |
POR 1 |
ARG 1 |
ITA 4 |
GRE Ret |
POL 7 |
FIN 2 |
AUS 2 |
ESP 1 |
GBR 1 |
1st | 93 | ||||
2010 | Citroën Total WRT | Citroën C4 WRC | SWE 2 |
MEX 1 |
JOR 1 |
TUR 1 |
NZL 3 |
POR 2 |
BUL 1 |
FIN 3 |
GER 1 |
JPN 5 |
FRA 1 |
ESP 1 |
GBR 1 |
1st | 276 | |||
2011 | Citroën Total WRT | Citroën DS3 WRC | SWE 6 |
MEX 1 |
POR 2 |
JOR 3 |
ITA 1 |
ARG 1 |
GRE 2 |
FIN 1 |
GER 2 |
AUS 10 |
FRA Ret |
ESP 1 |
GBR Ret |
1st | 222 | |||
2012 | Citroën Total WRT | Citroën DS3 WRC | MON 1 |
SWE 6 |
MEX 1 |
POR Ret |
ARG 1 |
GRE 1 |
NZL 1 |
FIN 1 |
GER 1 |
GBR 2 |
FRA 1 |
ITA Ret |
ESP 1 |
1st | 270 | |||
2013 | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | Citroën DS3 WRC | MON 1 |
SWE 2 |
MEX | POR | ARG 1 |
GRE | ITA | FIN | GER | AUS | FRA Ret |
ESP | GBR | 8th | 68 | |||
2015 | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | Citroën DS3 WRC | MON 8 |
SWE | MEX | ARG | POR | ITA | POL | FIN | GER | AUS | FRA | ESP | GBR | 18th | 6 | |||
2018 | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | Citroën C3 WRC | MON | SWE | MEX 5 |
FRA 14 |
ARG | POR | ITA | FIN | GER | TUR | GBR | ESP 1 |
AUS | 13th | 43 | |||
2019 | Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT | Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC | MON 4 |
SWE 7 |
MEX | FRA 8 |
ARG | CHL 3 |
POR Ret |
ITA | FIN | GER | TUR | GBR | ESP 4 |
AUS C |
11th | 51 | ||
2020 | Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT | Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC | MON 6 |
SWE | MEX | EST | TUR 3 |
ITA | MNZ | 10th | 24 | |||||||||
2022 | M-Sport Ford WRT | Ford Puma Rally1 | MON 1 |
SWE | CRO | POR Ret |
ITA | KEN 8 |
EST | FIN | BEL | GRE Ret |
NZL | ESP | JPN | 11th | 35 |
JWRC results
[edit](key)
Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Pos. | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | Sébastien Loeb | Citroën Saxo Kit Car | ESP 1 |
GRE 1 |
1st | 50 | ||||
Citroën Saxo VTS S1600 | FIN 1 |
ITA | FRA 1 |
GBR 1 |
WRC summary
[edit]Season | Team | Starts | Victories | Podiums | Stage wins | DNF | Points | Final result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Private | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | NC |
2000 | Private | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | NC |
2001 | Private | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14th |
Automobiles Citroën | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 6 | ||
2002 | Automobiles Citroën | 8 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 2 | 18 | 14th |
Piedrafita Sport | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
2003 | Citroën Total | 14 | 3 | 7 | 38 | 3 | 71 | 2nd |
2004 | Citroën Total | 16 | 6 | 12 | 70 | 2 | 118 | 1st |
2005 | Citroën Total | 16 | 10 | 13 | 131 | 2 | 127 | 1st |
2006 | Kronos Citroën World Rally Team | 12 | 8 | 12 | 87 | 0 | 112 | 1st |
2007 | Citroën Total WRT | 16 | 8 | 13 | 102 | 2 | 116 | 1st |
2008 | Citroën Total WRT | 15 | 11 | 13 | 118 | 1 | 122 | 1st |
2009 | Citroën Total WRT | 12 | 7 | 9 | 88 | 1 | 93 | 1st |
2010 | Citroën Total WRT | 13 | 8 | 12 | 96 | 0 | 276 | 1st |
2011 | Citroën Total WRT | 13 | 5 | 9 | 65 | 2 | 222 | 1st |
2012 | Citroën Total WRT | 13 | 9 | 10 | 72 | 2 | 270 | 1st |
2013 | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | 4 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 1 | 68 | 8th |
2015 | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 18th |
2018 | Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 43 | 13th |
2019 | Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT | 6 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 51 | 11th |
2020 | Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 10th |
2022 | M-Sport Ford WRT | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 35 | 11th |
Total | 184 | 80 | 120 | 939 | 24 | 1778 |
Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results
[edit]Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Pescarolo Sport | Soheil Ayari Éric Hélary |
Pescarolo C60 Hybrid-Judd | LMP1 | 288 | DNF | DNF |
2006 | Pescarolo Sport | Éric Hélary Franck Montagny |
Pescarolo C60 Hybrid-Judd | LMP1 | 376 | 2nd | 2nd |
FIA GT Series results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pos. | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Sébastien Loeb Racing | McLaren MP4-12C GT3 | Pro | NOG QR 1 |
NOG CR 12 |
ZOL QR 17 |
ZOL CR 13 |
ZAN QR Ret |
ZAN CR 14 |
SVK QR 1 |
SVK CR Ret |
NAV QR 1 |
NAV CR 1 |
BAK QR 14 |
BAK CR 2 |
4th | 82 |
Complete Porsche Supercup results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Porsche AG | ESP 11 |
MON 16 |
GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | UAE | UAE | NC† | 0 | ||
2015 | Sébastien Loeb Racing | ESP | MON | AUT | GBR | HUN | BEL 13 |
BEL Ret |
ITA | ITA | USA | USA | NC† | 0 |
† – As Loeb was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete World Touring Car Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Citroën Total WTCC | Citroën C-Elysée WTCC | MAR 1 2 |
MAR 2 1 |
FRA 1 2 |
FRA 2 6 |
HUN 1 7 |
HUN 2 9 |
SVK 1 1 |
SVK 2 C |
AUT 1 4 |
AUT 2 7 |
RUS 1 3 |
RUS 2 5 |
BEL 1 3 |
BEL 2 5 |
ARG 1 4 |
ARG 2 6 |
BEI 1 5 |
BEI 2 3 |
CHN 1 4 |
CHN 2 12 |
JPN 1 3 |
JPN 2 7 |
MAC 1 6 |
MAC 2 6 |
3rd | 295 |
2015 | Citroën Total WTCC | Citroën C-Elysée WTCC | ARG 1 3 |
ARG 2 1 |
MAR 1 3 |
MAR 2 2 |
HUN 1 6 |
HUN 2 5 |
GER 1 2 |
GER 2 5 |
RUS 1 9 |
RUS 2 7 |
SVK 1 3 |
SVK 2 1 |
FRA 1 1 |
FRA 2 Ret |
POR 1 2 |
POR 2 15† |
JPN 1 6 |
JPN 2 4 |
CHN 1 3 |
CHN 2 4 |
THA 1 2 |
THA 2 1 |
QAT 1 4 |
QAT 2 4 |
3rd | 356 |
† Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.
Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | DC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | AlphaTauri AF Corse | Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 | ALG 1 16 |
ALG 2 18 |
LAU 1 |
LAU 2 |
IMO 1 |
IMO 2 |
NOR 1 |
NOR 2 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
SPA 1 |
SPA 2 |
RBR 1 |
RBR 2 |
HOC 1 |
HOC 2 |
32nd | 0 |
Complete Global RallyCross Championship results
[edit](key)
Supercar
[edit]Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | GRC | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Hansen Motorsport | Citroën DS3 | CHA | TEX | LA 1 |
NH | LVS | LVC | 17th | 21 |
Complete FIA European Rallycross Championship results
[edit](key)
Supercar
[edit]Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ERX | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Hervé Lemonnier | Citroën DS3 | GBR | POR | HUN | FIN | NOR | SWE | FRA 9 8 + 3 |
AUT | GER | 27th | 11 |
Complete FIA World Rallycross Championship results
[edit](key)
Supercar
[edit]Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | WRX | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | Peugeot 208 WRX | POR 5 |
HOC 10 |
BEL 2 |
GBR 10 |
NOR 5 |
SWE 2 |
CAN 9 |
FRA 3 |
BAR 8 |
LAT 1 |
GER 8 |
ARG 8 |
5th | 209 |
2017 | Team Peugeot-Hansen | Peugeot 208 WRX | BAR 14 |
POR 2 |
HOC 5 |
BEL 7 |
GBR 4 |
NOR 3 |
SWE 3 |
CAN 3 |
FRA 2 |
LAT 3 |
GER 11 |
RSA 10 |
4th | 214 |
2018 | Team Peugeot Total | Peugeot 208 WRX | BAR 2 |
POR 2 |
BEL 1 |
GBR 3 |
NOR 8 |
SWE 9 |
CAN 3 |
FRA 6 |
LAT 3 |
USA 4 |
GER 8 |
RSA 3 |
4th | 229 |
2023 | Special ONE Racing | Lancia Delta Evo-E RX | POR 6 |
NOR 5 |
SWE 8 |
GBR C |
BLX |
GER |
RSA |
RSA |
CHN |
CHN |
9th | 29 |
Dakar Rally results
[edit]Year | Class | Vehicle | Position | Stages won |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Cars | Peugeot | 9th | 4 |
2017 | 2nd | 5 | ||
2018 | DNF | 1 | ||
2019 | 3rd | 4 | ||
2021 | BRX | DNF | 0 | |
2022 | 2nd | 2 | ||
2023 | 2nd | 7 | ||
2024 | 3rd | 5 |
Complete Extreme E results
[edit](key)
Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Team X44 | Spark ODYSSEY 21 | DES Q 1 |
DES R 3 |
OCE Q 1 |
OCE R 4 |
ARC Q 1 |
ARC R 4 |
ISL Q 1 |
ISL R 5 |
JUR Q 1 |
JUR R 1 |
2nd | 121 |
2022 | X44 Vida Carbon Racing | Spark ODYSSEY 21 | DES 3 |
ISL1 6 |
ISL2 2 |
COP 1 |
ENE 3 |
1st | 73 | |||||
2023 | Abt Cupra XE | Spark ODYSSEY 21 | DES 1 |
DES 2 |
HYD 1 |
HYD 2 |
ISL1 1 4 |
ISL1 2 6 |
ISL2 1 2 |
ISL2 2 3 |
COP 1 |
COP 2 |
10th | 55 |
Complete World Rally-Raid Championship results
[edit](key)
Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Pos. | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | BRX | BRX Hunter | T1 | DAK 2 |
ABU 8 |
MOR 22 |
AND 1 |
2nd | 164 | |
2023 | BRX | BRX Hunter | T1 | DAK 2 |
ABU 21 |
SON Ret |
DES | MOR 18 |
4th | 112 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Profile of SEBASTIEN LOEB - BAHRAIN RAID XTREME - Dakar". Dakar.
- ^ a b "The five best Loeb vs Ogier WRC battles". DirtFish. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "M-Sport announces Loeb WRC comeback, Fourmaux retained". 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Fast Frenchmen Complete M-Sport's 2022 Monte Carlo Line-Up". 21 December 2021.
- ^ a b "X44's Loeb/Gutierrez win Extreme E finale as RXR duo takes title". Racer. 19 December 2021.
- ^ "Sébastien Loeb's Official Website – biography". Archived from the original on 15 August 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2007.
- ^ Celui qui tirait des câbles, Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, 7 September 2010, on wayback.archive.org (in French)
- ^ "WRC Backstories: Sébastien Loeb". WRC - World Rally Championship. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "News Flash: Gronholm goes off road". 26 October 2007. Archived from the original on 28 November 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
- ^ "News Flash: Loeb out again [updated]". 28 October 2007. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
- ^ "Sordo top". 16 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2007.
- ^ "Loeb lands fourth straight title". BBC News. 2 December 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2007.
- ^ "Loeb clinches record Monte win". Autosport. 27 January 2008. Archived from the original on 30 January 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
- ^ "Loeb clinches record fifth WRC title". Autosport. 2 November 2008. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
- ^ Beer, Matt (24 May 2009). "Latvala ends Loeb's winning streak". Autosport. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Beer, Matt (24 May 2009). "Penalty drops Loeb to fourth". Autosport. Archived from the original on 27 May 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Beer, Matt (13 June 2009). "Loeb crashes out of Acropolis". Autosport. Archived from the original on 16 June 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ Beer, Matt (28 June 2009). "Hirvonen takes win and points lead". Autosport. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
- ^ "Loeb wins Rally Catalunya". Autocar. 5 October 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ Beer, Matt (15 October 2009). "Loeb wins Rally GB and sixth title". Autosport. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ "Loeb secures sixth title in a row". BBC Sport. 25 October 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb wins Rally Bulgaria!". WRC.com. 11 July 2010. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ Peacock, Anthony (23 August 2010). "Sébastien Loeb wins Rallye Deutschland". AutoWeek. Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ Schilke, David C. (3 October 2010). "Loeb takes 7th WRC title at his home town in France". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 3 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb wins seventh straight World Rally crown". BBC Sport. 3 October 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ "Factbox-Rallying-World champion Sebastien Loeb". Reuters. 3 October 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
- ^ "Loeb wins in Mexico". World Rally Championship. International Sportsworld Communicators. 6 March 2011. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Ogier strikes gold in Portugal". World Rally Championship. International Sportsworld Communicators. 27 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Ogier pips Latvala to Jordan win in closest ever finish". Reuters. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Loeb wins sixth Rally of Argentina". RTÉ. 29 May 2011. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Loeb wins Rally Finland for the second time". Reuters. 31 July 2011. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ Constant, Brad (17 August 2011). "Sébastien Loeb to stay with Citroën through 2013". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ Evans, David. "Why it's war between the two Sebs". Autosport. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Hirvonen wins Down Under". Sky Sports. 11 September 2011. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Loeb overtakes Alen's 801 stage record". Sky News. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ "Sébastien Loeb wins eighth world title to break Schumacher's record and one behind Valentino Rossis record of nine world championships". The Guardian. London. 11 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Evans, David; Beer, Matt (13 November 2011). "Sebastien Loeb 'could not avoid' road section collision that ended his Rally GB". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ "World rally champ Sebastien Loeb crashes with hire car". BBC News. 13 November 2011. Archived from the original on 16 November 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ "Sébastien Loeb begins title defence with win in Monte Carlo Rally". The Guardian. London. 22 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Jari-Matti Latvala clinches win in Sweden for Ford despite late puncture". Autosport. 12 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Loeb claims victory at Rally Mexico". RTÉ. 28 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Motorsport: Loeb crashes out of Rally Portugal". The New Zealand Herald. 30 March 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ Baldwin, Alan (29 April 2012). "Loeb takes 70th world rally victory". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Loeb cruises to Acropolis win". Eurosport. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Loeb takes Neste Oil Rally Finland for a third time". Helsingin Sanomat. 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 August 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Jari-Matti Latvala defends Wales Rally GB title". BBC. 16 September 2012. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb will partially retire from the World Rally Championship". RTÉ. 27 September 2012. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ "Loeb clinches ninth consecutive world title". Chicago Tribune. 7 October 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
- ^ "Loeb zum neunten Mal Weltmeister". Auto Bild (in German). 7 October 2012. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
Eine Homage an den besten Rallyefahrer aller Zeiten und an eine Lichtgestalt im Motorsport.
- ^ "Vatanen: Loebin ennätyksiä tuskin rikotaan". MTV3 (in Finnish). 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Loeb to enter four rallies next year". Archived from the original on 28 September 2013.
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb wins Rallye Monte-Carlo". Speedcafe.com. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
- ^ "WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com". www.wrc.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
- ^ "WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com". www.wrc.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ "WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com". www.wrc.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- ^ FIA World Rally Championship (1 October 2013). "Sébastien Loeb - the most successful WRC career ever!". Archived from the original on 22 May 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com". www.wrc.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ Schrader, Stef (12 December 2018). "Sébastien Loeb, 9-Time Rally Champion, Is Returning to WRC With Hyundai". The Drive. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "Who's smiling after South America?". WRC - World Rally Championship. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ a b "LOEB ENDS 2019 WITH WIN". WRC.com. 25 November 2019.
- ^ "Neuville ends Turkey day two on top as Loeb rises to podium". DirtFish. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "Loeb open to Hyundai return". WRC - World Rally Championship. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ a b "ELENA CALLS TIME ON WRC CAREER". WRC. 29 November 2021.
- ^ Evans, David (19 October 2021). "Loeb tests M-Sport's 2022 Puma in Spain". DirtFish. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023.
- ^ Wilde, Dominik; Evans, David (21 December 2021). "M-Sport announces Loeb's WRC return on Monte Carlo Rally". DirtFish. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023.
- ^ Howard, Tom (23 January 2022). "WRC Monte Carlo: Loeb beats Ogier to take eighth Monte win in epic battle". Autosport. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Loeb returning to M-Sport for Rally Portugal". Racer. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ Howard, Tom (20 May 2022). "World Rally Championship legend Sebastien Loeb has crashed out of Rally Portugal on the first stage of Friday afternoon's loop". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ "LEGEND LOEB CONFIRMS SAFARI COMEBACK". WRC- World Rally Championship. 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Neuville triumphs as Hyundai makes history in Greece". WRC - World Rally Championship. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "WRC legend Loeb victorious on rally return in Azores". www.motorsport.com. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Sturtridge, Tim (28 July 2016). "Sébastien Loeb joins Peugeot-Total's dream team". RedBull.com.
- ^ "Dakar 2016: Cars - Sebastien Loeb loses Dakar lead". Eurosport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "Loeb out of Silk Way Rally with finger injury". euronews. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb out of 2018 Dakar Rally, Stephane Peterhansel leads". Autosport. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "Peugeot to withdraw from World Rallycross at end of 2018 season". Autosport. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "Loeb to return to Dakar as privateer in 2019". www.motorsport.com. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "This is what went down at the 2019 Dakar Rally". Red Bull. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "Loeb: Prodrive not entering Dakar Rally to be behind Toyota, X-raid". Autosport. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Lillo, Sergio (4 December 2020). "Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar". Autosport. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Lillo, Sergio (6 January 2021). "Dakar 2021: Sebastien Loeb slams stewards for penalty". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Brunsdon, Stephen (11 January 2021). "Loeb's troublesome Dakar ends with retirement". DirtFish. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Stuck in the desert for 10 hours — twice: Sébastien Loeb on his nightmare Dakar 2021". Motor Sport Magazine. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ "Sébastien Loeb: "We still managed to put up a fight"". Dakar. 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Loeb takes lead in World Rally-Raid Championship - automobilsport.com". www.automobilsport.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Dakar 2023: A bumper crop of records". Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "WHY LOEB LOST AN HOUR ON DAKAR'S SECOND DAY". 2 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "AL-ATTIYAH MOVES INTO DAKAR LEAD ON SHORTENED THIRD DAY". 3 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Sébastien Loeb: "I made a mistake on a tricky dune"". Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb Plays GT4 Online". YouTube. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ "Porsche – Loeb s'adjuge la victoire à Pau". Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
- ^ "Loeb thrilled by Renault F1 test". ITV. Retrieved 4 November 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Loeb to join F1 test with Red Bull". Autosport. 3 November 2008. Archived from the original on 6 November 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2008.
- ^ "Loeb fast enough for F1, say Red Bull". Autosport. 20 November 2008. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
- ^ "Fresh doubts over Bourdais' future". Autosport. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- ^ Jonathan Noble (11 July 2009). "Loeb interested in Bourdais' seat". Autosport. Archived from the original on 15 July 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
- ^ Autosport, p10 (16 July 2009)
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (22 October 2009). "Loeb gives up on Formula 1 dream". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 25 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
- ^ "Rally Champion Loeb contacts USF1". GPUpdate.net. 25 August 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Sébastien Loeb, Alvaro Parente to pilot McLaren MP4-12Cs in FIA GT Series". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Loeb to race in Porsche Supercup at Barcelona and Monte Carlo". Autoweek. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ O'Leary, Jamie (25 June 2013). "Citroen confirms WTCC entry with Sebastien Loeb in 2014". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ Hudson, Neil. "Citroën sign Yvan Muller for a two-year deal in WTCC". TouringCarTimes. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ "Sebastien Loeb surprised to be axed by Citroen for 2016 WTCC season". Autosport. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ Gilbert, Peter (29 February 2016). "Sebastian Loeb joins World Rallycross series with Peugeot". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ "Live Qualifying Results". FIA World Rallycross Championship. 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ^ Ridge, Hal (2 October 2016). "Loeb seals maiden rallycross win". motorsport.com. Retrieved 2 October 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jupp, Ethan (11 December 2020). "Loeb joins Hamilton's Extreme E team". Goodwood Road and Racing.
- ^ "X44 retains Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez for Championship challenge in Season 2". Extreme E. 25 January 2022.
- ^ "Hamilton's Extreme E team gets first win of the season in contentious Chile X-Prix". RACER. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Lewis Hamilton's X44 Vida Carbon Racing claim first Extreme E title in rollercoaster second season". Extreme E - The Electric Odyssey. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ Thukral, Rachit (4 April 2022). "WRC legend Loeb to make DTM debut with Red Bull-backed AF Corse". Autosport. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Peugeot reveals full spec of Loeb's 875bhp, 875kg Pikes Peak T16 - Other news - AUTOSPORT.com". Autosport. 23 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ^ "875bhp twin-turbo Peugeot 208 T16". Autocar. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ Hall, Emme. "Volkswagen I.D. R sets new overall Pikes Peak record". Roadshow. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ Ebner, Tobias (6 February 2022). "Race of Champions 2022: Sebastien Loeb schlägt Sebastian Vettel im Finale". Motorsport.com (in German).
- ^ Evans, David (2 July 2012). "Sebastien Loeb dominates X Games event in Los Angeles". Autosport. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- ^ "Fort Boyard: Sébastien Loeb hypnotisé par le décolleté de Miss France 2016 (vidéo) - Le Soir". Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ Décès d'Ingrid Loeb, mère de Sébastien Loeb Archived 30 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine (Death of Ingrid Loeb, mother of Sébastien Loeb), Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, 28 September 2012 (in French)
- ^ "WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com". www.wrc.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ^ "Site officiel de Sébastien Loeb – Biography". Sebastienloeb.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2008.
- ^ "Home Shakedown with Sébastien Loeb". Hyundai Media Newsroom. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- ^ Evans, David (28 May 2009). "Loeb receives French knighthood". autosport.com. Haymarket. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
- ^ Peace and Sport Archived 29 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Peace-sport.org. Retrieved on 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Hirvonen named Rally Australia winner after Citroen penalties". wrc.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Sébastien Loeb at IMDb
- Sébastien Loeb career summary at DriverDB.com
- eWRC results.com profile
- Sébastien Loeb
- 1974 births
- Living people
- People from Haguenau
- French rally drivers
- World Rally Championship drivers
- World Rally Champions
- 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers
- Dakar Rally drivers
- Knights of the Legion of Honour
- French expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
- Porsche Supercup drivers
- International GT Open drivers
- World Touring Car Championship drivers
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers
- European Rallycross Championship drivers
- World Rallycross Championship drivers
- Global RallyCross Championship drivers
- X Games athletes
- Extreme E drivers
- Sportspeople from Bas-Rhin
- AF Corse drivers
- Citroën Racing drivers
- Peugeot Sport drivers
- Sports car racing team owners
- Sébastien Loeb Racing drivers
- Pescarolo Sport drivers
- Hyundai Motorsport drivers
- M-Sport drivers
- Porsche Carrera Cup France drivers
- French racing drivers
- Abt Sportsline drivers
- Cupra Racing drivers
- 24H Series drivers