Inside Rally

Sebastien Loeb has said in an interview with French magazine Paris-Match, that next season could be his last in the world championship.

There had been speculation that Loeb would retire at the end of this season, but he signed a one-year extension contract with Citroen, the manufacturer with which he has spent his entire career. The 36-year-old said that he would decide for sure after next season whether to call it a day.

“I feel I have taken enough risks and I am not ready to take any more,” he said. “My motivation now is the pleasure”.

Loeb took his first top-level victory in Germany in 2002. Since then he has gone on to become the most successful driver in the history of the world championship.  To date he has won 59 events and six world titles and looks set to clinch his seventh drivers’ world championship on his home WRC round in France next month.

It is expected that the young rising french star Sebastien Ogier will take his place after the impressive performance he has shown this year, and beating the 6 times World Champion in Portugal earlier this season. Loeb is adamant that his fast improving french team mate would not influence his decision. “It is not him who is marking the end of my career,” said Loeb. “It is me who is making the decision”.

It’s three years today since Colin and Johnny McRae and two of their friends died in a tragic helicopter accident.

The Scot’s name is legendary in the world of motorsport. A spectacular, flamboyant and totally committed driving style brought him to the attention of Motorsport enthusiasts at an early age and there was to be no denying the natural talent that ultimately rewarded him with the title of Britain’s first World Rally Champion in 1995 and an MBE from The Queen for his outstanding achievement.

Please visit the website – http://www.colinmcrae.com/default.asp

The Poem that was read out at his funneral and on Total rally this evening.

According to a report by Autosport last week, Petter Solberg’s hopes of remaining in the World Rally Championship next year have been boosted due to an increase of car sales in his home country. Citroen Norway have reported that their car sales have increased by 67 per cent since last season, the importers are insisting that it’s partly due to their deal with Solberg.

Citroen Norway’s Oystein Johansen said “It’s difficult to say this increase is all due to our partnership with Petter, but it is very important and we want it to continue next season. Petter has a very special way with people. He’s got time for everybody, he’s a member of the family. This is why we want to continue for next season – we are 100 per cent committed for 2011”.

It has been speculated that he could move over to the Citroen works team, however this is unlikely as he would then be under team ruling meaning he would have to take team orders which could involve moving a side and allowing Loeb or Ogier to take wins for the championship. Solberg would not want to be put in this situation as he is always fighting to be at the top and is still pushing for his first victory since rally GB in 2005.

Struggling with finance of running his own team any deal is possible next year. But it is increasingly Likely that Solberg will remain with a Citroen car next season, although the French firm has admitted building enough DS3 WRC’s for the first round will be a challenge.