Q&A with Daniel Elena

Sebastien Loeb’s long-term co-driver Daniel Elena is thrilled to be continuing in the World Rally Championship for another two seasons after Loeb re-signed for Citroen.

But, as he told Wrc.com, he had been prepared to call time on his navigating career.

Did you expect Sebastien to make his decision to carry on?

“When we start the season Sebastien said to me ‘maybe it’s the last season’. It’s long now, it’s seven titles. He start to look to DTM and other competitions. But after he got faster and faster - for me this is his most famous season this year and it’s the most speed. He has more motivation and for that maybe he wants to stay more. It’s nice for the sport and for me too.”

If you make it eight world titles this year you will have proved you can win in the new-generation World Rally Car-era too. Will you still have the same motivation next year?

“When you start the race you have 100 per cent motivation. You start the season and you want to win all the race. When you arrive on the start line you have full motivation and for me next year you have the same motivation when you arrive.”

What would you have felt if he decided to stop?

“It’s okay. I have my company in Monaco and I am looking maybe to go with the FIA for working for the future of the rally. I think I have a lot of experience now and you have to put young blood on the federation. I would have been interested in safety and organisation of the race marshals.”

You say it’s Sebastien’s “most famous” season. Is it because of the battle you are having with your team-mate Sebastien Ogier?

“It’s not just the fight with Ogier. You have five drivers who are very fast this year. Maybe the new regulation of the car is for that. But the road cleaning is a disaster. You have no rain this year and you have to clean every time. This has been the hardest year for the cleaning but the rule is changing and that was a very important decision for Sebastien to continue. If it stayed the same I’m sure he stops because he is very angry, you remember in Greece.”

Did you ever consider stopping if he carried on?

“If he stop I stop. But me with another driver? No but maybe me as the driver!”

How serious did Sebastien consider Volkswagen’s offer?

“When you stop for one year you are finished, like Marcus Gronholm found when he came back for Sweden because he was not in the fight. It’s interesting to develop the car because it’s a new challenge but after in 2013 you are not competitive.”

Did you talk a lot about the decision?

“It’s just Sebastien, he has no manager. He speak with me but every time I say it’s your decision. If you want to stop we stop. If you continue I continue with you. If you go to Volkswagen I come with you.”

When did he decide to continue?

“He told Citroen on Tuesday morning.”