Touring Car
Loeb’s packed programme
WRC champ adds F1-supporting Porsche Supercup races to hectic schedule.
As if four World Rallies, a full FIA GT Championship campaign and a crack at America’s famous Pikes Peak hill climb record weren’t enough, Sebastien Loeb will race in the forthcoming Porsche Supercup rounds at Formula One’s Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix.
Next week Sebastien heads to Argentina for the third of his four appearances in this year’s World Rally Championship (May 1-4) prior to retiring and instead looks to other areas of motor sport for motivation.
From there it will be straight back across the Atlantic to Barcelona for his Supercup debut at the Spanish GP the following weekend (May 9-11) and then a second outing in Monte Carlo two weeks later (May 24-26)
Loeb has competed in several Porsche races since 2008 and last year achieved a victory double in the French Carrera Cup round in Pau. However, even he admits that his seven previous Monte Carlo Rally wins will mean little when he steps up to the Supercup for its race around the principality’s world-famous street circuit.
I’ve never driven at Monaco. It’s also this discovering that’s seductive.
"Racing in this championship is a real challenge. Almost impossible. I always enjoyed my experiences in French Porsche Carrera Cup. It’s real racing!
"Everbody has the same equipment and you have to fight to get to the front. They are always hotly contested events, with great battles. Porsche Supercup is another step above: I’ll be racing alongside specialists with whom it will be difficult to rival. I know Barcelona a little, but I’ve never driven at Monaco. It’s also this discovering that’s seductive.”
After Porsches in Monaco comes the challenge of the Pikes Peak Hill Climb(June 30) with Peugeot in its sensational purpose built 208 T16. The following weekend (July 5-7) he’ll be back in Europe to resume his FIA GT title bid at the wheel of his Sebastien Loeb Racing McLaren MP4-12C at Holland’s Zandvoort circuit.
Meanwhile Loeb will test a Porsche 911 Cup this week. It’s a rigorous schedule but he says it is worth it. The Frenchman added: “I want to drive as much as possible on circuits and learn as much as I can.
“Without a doubt they will be two very enriching races in that I’ll be in the middle of a grid that will be animated and racy. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy myself.
“Besides the driving these are fun events since they take place alongside F1 weekends. There will be the pleasure of racing, but also the pleasure of experiencing the two grands prix, including Monaco, which is always special.”