Schumacher copying me, Loeb jokes

Sebastien Loeb has accused Formula One legend Michael Schumacher of copying him - but it turns out that’s just an in-joke between multiple world champions.

If you put Loeb’s and Schumacher’s titles together, you end up with a staggering 16 world championships, but there won’t be any more for either - well not next year - as both are bowing out of their respective disciplines at the end of this season.

“Yes, Schumacher is doing the same as me!” Loeb told the L’Equipe newspaper in France after Schumacher announced at the Japanese Grand Prix that he was calling it a day at the end of 2012. “But joking aside, it was always going to happen one day or another. Having said that, he announced his retirement once before...but this time I really don’t think he’s coming back.”

If Schumacher was capable of changing his mind though, maybe Loeb could be in the future? After all, Loeb said he’s definitely doing Rallye Monte-Carlo next year and that he might even do Sweden too - because snow is still a big challenge for him - so if he starts the season, then maybe he won’t stop?

The Frenchman is very quick to knock that particular speculation on the head, much as everyone would like him to stay: “It’s not the same situation,” he points out. “Schumacher is quitting for good. I’m stopping in order to do something else. So it’s not retirement; it’s a new career path. With a new challenge. After all, I can’t wait until I’m 50...”