Skip advert
Advertisement

Sebastien Loeb wins again

Sebastien Loeb ends his full-time rally career with victory on Rally de Espana

Sebastien Loeb ended his career as a full-time World Rally Championship driver with victory in Spain on Sunday.  Loeb - evo's Driver of 2012 in the current issue - led the field from the morning of day two.  He struggled during Friday’s wet and muddy gravel stages, but found his rhythm on Saturday’s asphalt tests. Frenchman Loeb sealed his 76th career victory in his Citroen DS3 WRC with a 7sec gap over Finnish Ford works driver Jari-Matti Latvala.  Loeb’s teammate Mikko Hirvonen rounded out the podium.  Day one leader Mads Ostberg slipped to fourth in his Adapta Ford. With only a partial campaign planned for next year while he prepares to potentially enter the World Touring Car Championship with Citroen in 2014, Loeb’s Spanish win effectively marks the end of his hugely successful career in the WRC. Loeb had already sealed his ninth successive championship victory in front of a home crowd on Rallye de France in October. Loeb leaves the WRC holding almost every record available.  He has scored the most event wins, stage wins, podiums, points and championships.  Uniquely, he has set all of those records whilst driving for the works Citroen team.  He also finished the 2006 Le Mans 24 hours in second place, on only his second attempt, driving for the Pescarolo team. So far, Loeb’s only confirmed rally in 2013 will be the Monte Carlo in January. Don’t bet against him adding to his statistics.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week
Hot hatch test
Features

Audi RS3 v Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes-AMG A45 S – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test three of the most sophisticated hot hatches on sale against each other on road and track – these are our favourite…
29 Mar 2025
Used Audi RS6 Avant (C7, 2013 - 2019) review, specs and buying guide – family-friendly supercar slayer from £20k
Audi RS6 – front
In-depth reviews

Used Audi RS6 Avant (C7, 2013 - 2019) review, specs and buying guide – family-friendly supercar slayer from £20k

Audi’s C7-generation RS6 may lack ultimate involvement, but it’s still a crushingly effective and desirable super-estate
27 Mar 2025
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power
Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 – front
Reviews

Performance Link Mazda MX-5 R300 review – an MX-5 with Honda VTEC power

A screaming 296bhp Honda VTEC engine and a full chassis upgrade package turn the NC-generation Mazda MX-5 into something altogether more thrilling
25 Mar 2025