Sebastien Loeb to compete in World Rally Championship part-time
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Sebastien Loeb to compete in World Rally Championship part-time
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102876
Maybe Ford will finally win the championship with Loeb gone ...
Sebastien Loeb will complete a partial programme in the World Rally Championship next season.
The Frenchman announced at the Paris motor show on Thursday that he will compete in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, but that he has no fixed plans for the rest of the year.
Loeb has been full-time in WRC machinery since 2002. He has won an unprecedented 74 events, all of them with Citroen.
Loeb, 38, is on his way to secure his ninth title in a row, leading team-mate Hirvonen by 61 points with just three rounds left.
The Frenchman announced at the Paris motor show on Thursday that he will compete in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, but that he has no fixed plans for the rest of the year.
Loeb has been full-time in WRC machinery since 2002. He has won an unprecedented 74 events, all of them with Citroen.
Loeb, 38, is on his way to secure his ninth title in a row, leading team-mate Hirvonen by 61 points with just three rounds left.
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It's gonna be an interesting season (Citroen, Ford, Mini, Volkswagen and now Hyundai, possibly Fiat too), Ford might finally win the title.
Hyundai has confirmed it is to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship with a car based on the current three-door Hyundai i20 supermini.
Hyundai has confirmed it is to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship with a car based on the current three-door Hyundai i20 supermini.
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Jari-Matti Latvala considering Ford, Volkswagen offers
Jari-Matti Latvala has revealed he has offers from both Ford and Volkswagen for next year's World Rally Championship - and the Finn maintains his mind is not made up.
Despite intense speculation that he has signed a three-year deal to partner Sebastien Ogier in the Polo R WRC, Latvala says his decision will come in the next month.
The Rally GB winner said the decision comes down to the short-term goal of a shot at the world title with Ford next year versus a longer-term deal with VW.
"It's no secret my contract is up at the end of the year," he said. "And I am thinking about opportunities with Ford and Volkswagen.
"Ford is committed to the WRC until the end of 2013, but VW is a longer commitment which is a strong thing, but on the hand the Ford is a very good car which is very, very competitive and it would be really strong to be fighting for the drivers' championship with Ford.
"I have stayed at Ford for many years and I always wanted to see Ford win a world championship. This has not happened in my years, so it's not an easy situation.
"Sometimes there are tough choices; I know leaving [a current team] is hard, but there is a possibility. It's very hard."
Latvala admitted neither manufacturer had given him a deadline for the decision. He added: "I don't think it will be before Sardinia (Rally d'Italia), maybe it will be around the time for Catalunya next month."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103057
Jari-Matti Latvala has revealed he has offers from both Ford and Volkswagen for next year's World Rally Championship - and the Finn maintains his mind is not made up.
Despite intense speculation that he has signed a three-year deal to partner Sebastien Ogier in the Polo R WRC, Latvala says his decision will come in the next month.
The Rally GB winner said the decision comes down to the short-term goal of a shot at the world title with Ford next year versus a longer-term deal with VW.
"It's no secret my contract is up at the end of the year," he said. "And I am thinking about opportunities with Ford and Volkswagen.
"Ford is committed to the WRC until the end of 2013, but VW is a longer commitment which is a strong thing, but on the hand the Ford is a very good car which is very, very competitive and it would be really strong to be fighting for the drivers' championship with Ford.
"I have stayed at Ford for many years and I always wanted to see Ford win a world championship. This has not happened in my years, so it's not an easy situation.
"Sometimes there are tough choices; I know leaving [a current team] is hard, but there is a possibility. It's very hard."
Latvala admitted neither manufacturer had given him a deadline for the decision. He added: "I don't think it will be before Sardinia (Rally d'Italia), maybe it will be around the time for Catalunya next month."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103057
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Rally France: Sebastien Loeb clinches final World Rally titleSebastien Loeb clinched his ninth - and most likely last - World Rally Championship title with a commanding victory on home turf in France.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103219
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