Rally de Espana: three questions to Sébastien Loeb

When one looks at the incredible media frenzy after you won your seventh title, have you had any time for yourself since the end of Rally France?

“Well, we found time to celebrate with my friends and the whole team! I was back testing on Tuesday morning. I spent two days in Portugal at the wheel of the DS3 WRC. Then I continued with a weekend in Paris. I was deeply touched by the welcome I received at the Paris Motorshow. I also gave the kick-off to the football match between France and Rumania, and it was pretty neat to show off the C4 WRC to the spectators in the Stade de France. When I got back to the house I had the luxury of a few days’ rest with Séverine and Valentine.”

Your dream of winning a seventh title is now reality. Does it feel special?

“I received many messages of congratulations including one from President Nicolas Sarkozy. I really appreciate the fact that he followed what was happening and he took the time to give me a call. At the time I felt that the seventh title and sixtieth victory had a major impact. Much more than if we had won the title in Japan in any case. I don’t know, though, what will be the long-term effect.”

Rally Spain will be the C4 WRC’s last outing on asphalt. Will you feel any different behind the wheel?

“It’s true that the C4 WRC is particularly well suited to asphalt and with a lot of hard work we’ve made it very quick. I’ll try and take advantage of it but I’m ready to turn the page. We’ll work hard to make the new DS3 WRC as fast. I can assure you that this new challenge motivates me 110%!”