Quesnel: don’t be surprised if Loeb’s here in 2012

Citroen team principal Olivier Quesnel says he wouldn’t be surprised if Sebastien Loeb decides to remain in the World Rally Championship into 2012.

There has been huge speculation over when the record-breaking Frenchman will walk away from the sport he has made his own. Loeb himself admitted next season could be his last, but his team principal at Citroen says he wouldn’t be surprised to see the seven-time champion remain.

“You can be sure that, if Seb [Loeb] is going well next year, he will stay for 2012,” said Quesnel. “But if he has some problems or if he starts to lose or he thinks he is not the best then he will stop. Right now, he doesn’t know himself when he will stop, but he is certainly still enjoying it.”

Loeb said: “The one thing I can say is that I won’t continue for a long time from now, that’s for sure. I don’t know what is the plan, the plan is to drive next year and see what happens. If I enjoy and still have some fun, then who knows.”

This year’s World Rally Champion added that seeing the DS3 WRC come on-line was another reason he wanted to remain in the sport.

He said: “If I was going to leave, I wouldn’t have done all of the work I have done with the new car. It’s going to be an interesting season next year.”

In a 10-year professional career in the WRC, Loeb has won 62 rounds of the championship.