WRC: Loeb plays down Japanese title chances

WRC points leader Sébastien Loeb has played down his chances of claiming a seventh title at this weekend's Rally Japan.

Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena secured both the 2005 and 2008 world titles at the Japanese event, and with the Citroën pairing enjoying a commanding lead over second placed Sébastien Ogier they could be set to claim a record extending seventh WRC crown as early as the upcoming rally. A Loeb-Elena win would ensure them the title if Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia finished 6th or lower, and would also represent the 60th WRC victory of their glittering partnership in the sport.

But Loeb is keeping his title hopes in check, and insists there is still work to be done before he can celebrate another championship triumph.

"I want to win as soon as possible and I’ll do everything to achieve this," said the Citroën star.

"But before that happens there’s still a lot of ground to cover. We work like crazy to obtain the best possible results, but winning the title in Japan doesn’t depend on me alone - it also depends on the positions of the other contenders."

And despite having celebrated two world championships on Japanese soil Loeb has revealed that the rally isn't one he looks forward too.

"To be quite honest, I can’t say it’s one of my favourite events. The stages aren’t all that exciting and the fact that they’re very narrow doesn’t really encourage you to let rip behind the wheel.

"But I like the atmosphere, this feeling of being in another world for a few days. The spectators are really faithful fans and I recognise them from one year to the next.”

Loeb heads to the Rally Japan - which returns to the schedule after a year's absence - having achieved a podium finish in each of this season's nine WRC events, claiming victory in Mexico, Jordan, Turkey, Bulgaria and Germany along the way.

Watch WRC highlights from Rally Japan on Motors TV.


James Weeks

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