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Name: Sebastien Loeb
Team: Citroen
Co-driver: Daniel Elena
Nationality: French
Birth date: Feb 26th 1974
Marital status: Never married. Girlfriend Severine
Residence: South France
2003 World Rally Championship with Citroen (Xsara WRC). Results - won the Monte Carlo Rally, seventh in Sweden, retired in Turkey, fifth in NZ, retired in Argentina, retired in Greece, third in Cyprus, won in Germany, fifth in Finland, second in Australia, won in Italy, 13th in France, 2nd in Spain and 2nd in GB. 2nd place finish for the dirver's title.
2002 World Rally Championship - selected events with Citroen (Xsara WRC). Tenth in Drivers' series, with 18 points. Results - won the German Rally, second on the Monte Carlo Rally [only lost victory due to a technicality] and fifth on the Safari.
2001 Super 1600 World Rally Champion - won 5 of the 6 events in a Citroen Saxo.
French Rally Champion (Citroen Xsara Kit-Car)
World Rally Championship - selected events. Joint 14th in the Drivers' series with 6 points. Second on the Sanremo Rally (Citroen Xsara WRC).
2000 French Gravel Champion 2-litre 2-wheel drive.
French Rally Championship with a Renault Maxi Megane and Xsara kit-Car.
World Rally Championship in a Toyota Corolla WRC. Results - ninth on the Tour de Corse and tenth on the Sanremo Rally.
1999 Citroen Saxo Kit Car Cup - won series.
World Rally Championship - three rounds in a Saxo kit car.
1998 Citroen Saxo Kit Car Cup - took two wins.
1997 Eighth in the Volant Peugeot 106 category - three wins in the 1300cc class.
1996 Finalist in France's Volant Rally Jeunes regional selection.
1995 Finalist in France's Volant Rally Jeunes regional selection
(WRC stats up till France 2003)
38 starts and 4 wins. 79 points collected. Contracted to driver for Citroen till 2004.
Q&A 1/11/03 From WRC.com:
After winning the 2001 Junior World Rally Championship, Sebastien Loeb found himself launched into the cockpit of a Citroen Xsara WRC for a programme of selected rallies in 2002. In 2003 he has contested his first full World Rally Championship and going into the final round, he's at the top of the points standings. He's tied in the lead with Carlos Sainz; Petter Solberg's one point behind and Richard Burns five points away, but Seb's not remotely fazed
Q: There's everything to play for on Rally GB, is it an event that you enjoy?
SL: It's a rally I like a lot, with stages which are pretty fast and low on grip. That's the type of stage I particularly like where you can slide the car. You have to know how to juggle with the conditions though. The import thing for me is that the conditions should be the same for everyone. I'm not afraid of fog, but it can turn the order upside down. If we're a bit behind if that happens, that will be good if we're a bit ahead, then it certainly wouldn't be positive. The objective will be to be ahead of Solberg and Sainz.
Q: What about Burns?
SL: "I'll have to give everything and really attack to stay ahead of Solberg and Sainz, no question. Solberg won last year and Sainz's experience really helps him. Burns is a bit behind he's five points adrift. I think it will be difficult for him. At least one of the three in front whether it be Sainz, Solberg or me will get a good result. Even if Burns wins, fourth place would be enough for me to be champion. I don't think he is a real danger."
Q: Do you worry that Citroen will impose team orders to be sure of winning the manufacturers' title?
SL: I don't know. We haven't spoken about that yet. It's a discussion that we'll certainly have before the rally, but for the moment, there's been no decision."
Q: Do you feel added pressure on the run-up to such an important event? SL: "We've known for quite a few rallies that we are playing for the title. We're quite well prepared for that idea. The fact that we are all on an even footing is very positive. Carlos Sainz has the same number of points as I have. Petter Solberg is only one point away. You could even say that removes the pressure. You must attack and not spend time asking yourself dozens of questions about tactics. We've all got to get a result, so it will be like any normal rally, except that he who's ahead at the end will be champion
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