Heroes
Sébastien
Loeb
He’s won the World Rally Championship a remarkable six times on the trot and
has laughed in the face of the world’s toughest roads. But how will he deal with
the bumps and ditches presented by The Red Bulletin’s tricky questions?
Words: Anthony Peacock Photography: Philipp Forstner
Heroes, particularly in the egomaniacal world of
Name motorsport, are not meant to be so breathtakingly...
Sébastien Loeb normal. Yet Sébastien Loeb, who has been crowned
Born World Rally Champion six consecutive times and
February 26, 1974 has won nearly twice as many World Championship
Lives rallies as any other driver in the sport’s history
Near Lausanne, [56 at the time of going to press], is really not into
Switzerland superstardom. He is constantly bemused by people
Successes picking over the minutiae of his genius, insisting
Loeb has won that his life is actually quite mundane.
the World Rally
Nothing could be further from the truth. The
Championship
six years running – Frenchman can seemingly do anything he puts his
2004-2009 mind to: he was a champion gymnast as a child –
Hobbies which is where he says he learned the poise and
Winter sports. balance to keep a rally car on the knife-edge of
Mountain biking (but control – and nearly won the Le Mans 24-hour
maybe not anymore) race on his first attempt three years ago.
Web Last year, he came painfully close to adding
www.sebastienloeb.com ‘Formula One driver’ to his impressive CV as well.
After a tentative plan for him to do the second half
of the 2009 F1 season with Scuderia Toro Rosso fell
through, he was earmarked for a one-off outing in
the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of the year.
But the sport’s authorities didn’t give him the
necessary driving licence, which, with typical F1
hyperbole, is called a ‘superlicence’. Séb isn’t bitter
though. Dominating just one form of motorsport
is quite enough for him to be going on with.
Which begs the question...
Are you the best driver that has ever lived,
in any form of motorsport?
“That’s not for me to say. The truth is that you
can’t compare drivers – or really any sportsmen –
from different eras. There are too many variables.
And however good you are, you can always be
better. So, in a word, no.”
Are you disappointed that you missed
out on being a Grand Prix driver?
“Not really. In the end it was always only going
to be a bit of fun. I never had any big ambitions in
48
F1: the chance to drive in a Grand Prix was just
a present from Red Bull as a one-off. Look, I was
under no illusions: I’m about a second a lap off
the pace in a racing car. In F1 it would have been
more. And I’m not sure I would have had the
physical strength for it anyway. I worked hard on
my neck, but I can’t say I would have been perfectly
prepared. It would have been fun to try though.”
So are you going to give F1 another go?
“Not without a superlicence. It’s fair enough:
I didn’t meet the criteria. To get a licence to race
in F1 you need to have raced in a lot of the junior
formulae, and I haven’t. So if they’re not giving
me a licence now, they’re unlikely to do so in the
future. The reason why I said yes to doing the
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the first place was that
it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Now that
opportunity is gone, so that’s that. But I’d love
to test an F1 car again if the chance came up.”
Isn’t it about time you stopped winning?
“No. I don’t think I’d ever get bored of it. Would you?
When I get bored I’ll stop. That won’t be for a while.”
Does driving a rally car ever get boring?
“Long road sections can be boring. Driving around
town can be boring. But you never get the chance
to be bored when you’re on a stage. If you do, then
I would say that you’re not trying hard enough.”
Do you sing when you’re winning?
“It’s better for everyone that I don’t.”
You’ve tasted a lot of champagne, what’s
your favourite label?
“I love wine, but I’m not a huge connoisseur of
champagne; it’s a different thing. I love any sort
of champagne when I’ve won a rally, but I couldn’t
sit down and analyse all the different varieties.
I’m better on conventional red and white wines.”
Wine or beer?
“Both. Wine is something that I’ve become really
interested in, so I’ll drink that during a meal. I’m
particularly into Burgundies at the moment. Beer
is for an evening out with friends. I come from
 Print 2.0
en.redbulletin.com/print2.0
…to see why Loeb’s a champ

World class: Sébastien

Loeb, six-time World
Rally Champion, never
gets tired of winning
 Heroes

Alsace, on the French border with Germany, so What habit in everyday driving annoys you most?
we’ve got a good beer-drinking tradition.” “People who don’t get on with it. People who dawdle
Can you cook? when the road is clear. People who don’t pay attention.
“Of course I can – I’m French. My specialities are I find that those three things often go together.”
ready meals and anything out of a tin. But actually What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve
the one thing I can cook properly is rib of beef. It’s ever done?
my favourite food. Saignant of course. The last “This is being published isn’t it? Let’s just say that
thing you want is your meat cooked through.” I’m a man who believes in moderation. Although it’s
Do you like frogs’ legs? true that I genuinely avoid taking undue risks in the
“I think I last had them about 10 years ago. They’re rally car. I prefer to drive up to a certain limit and
a very French thing I know, but we really don’t eat SÉBASTIEN not go beyond it. That’s probably been a large part
them often – whatever you might think. I’ve not seen LOEB of our success over the years.”
many in our cupboard recently. But they were OK. PLAYS WORD What’s the worst pair of shoes that
I don’t really remember what they were like.”
ASSOCIATION you’ve ever worn?
How about snails? “Nothing that really stands out, but I’ve certainly
Citroën
“I’ve had those more recently than I did frogs’ legs. had some bad items of clothing over the years and
Can I have
They don’t taste of very much: mostly garlic. That’s done things like worn trainers with suits. Being
two words?
another French stereotype...” My team comfortable is the most important thing for me. So
Who was your first famous crush? the worst pair of shoes I had was probably a really
“This is going to sound a bit sad, but my first crush France hard, formal pair – which I didn’t want to wear.”
was a moped. I was so wrapped up in those when
Erm... my Have you ever had a stalker?
country? But “Not recently, but I’ve come across a few in the
I was a teenager that I didn’t really notice anything
now I live in
else – girls included.” past. It’s much less the case now that I’m living
Switzerland. So
Oh well. Penélope Cruz or Cameron Diaz? in Switzerland than it was before, when I lived in
let’s say ‘the
[Hesitates for a long time, giving the matter weighty country of my France. Back then, there used to be two or three
thought]. “Penélope.” birth’. OK, that’s people turning up at my house every day and
Do you believe in God? a lot of words but a sackload of mail, some of it normal, some of it
“I suppose I do, but I’m not church-going. I believe in I can’t think of mad. I once saw one fan pop up in my garden.
something. Don’t ask me what because I don’t know.” anything else Now, in Switzerland, it’s much quieter. I don’t
If you could be reincarnated, who or what think anybody has ever just turned up on spec
Mud
would you come back as? at all, in fact. We’re quite secluded.”
Three letters:
“If I could come back as an animal, it would be R, A, C. The RAC What’s your address?
a bird. And I don’t mean a sparrow; I mean a proper Rally [as the “Nice try.”
bird. An eagle would do. If I had to come back as British round of What’s your phone number?
a person, that’s harder. There isn’t anybody who the World Rally “Next.”
I would like to come back as in particular. Can I Championship What’s your favourite sport outside of rallying?
come back as myself and do it all again?” used to be “I love winter sports: skiing and that sort of thing.
Tell us a joke... known], But outside of rallying, my favourite sports are
“I’ve got a terrible memory for jokes. If you really is where you still motorsports. I’ve always loved karting.”
want to hear a joke, ask my co-driver, Daniel Elena. always have the What are your favourite road cars?
He’s always telling them. Some are quite funny.” most mud “I’ve had a few of them; Porsches, Lamborghinis –
Can you get on the Metro in Paris without Gravel they’re all good in their own way. I’ve changed
people recognising you? Sideways them quite often to keep it interesting.”
“Sometimes, but generally it might be tricky. Tell us one fact about you that would
Michael
I wouldn’t say that being famous is a problem, surprise people?
Schumacher
because it’s recognition of your success and a sign “I don’t like insects, especially big spiders. I don’t
Champion
that you’ve done well in the sport, but let’s say that think I’d be at all happy living in the jungle, but
you do have to change certain aspects of your life Mountains in Europe it’s just about manageable.”
to deal with that situation. I can’t always do all the Switzerland You used to be a child gymnast: can you
things that I want to do, but I still manage to lead Speed still pop a somersault?
a pretty normal life. Living in Switzerland helps.” Passion “Easily.”
What’s your most annoying habit? What makes you laugh?
“There are a few that I could list, and probably many My daughter Valentine. Some of the things she
more that everybody else could, but my worst one is says and does are absolutely hilarious. It’s better
probably being late. Especially in the morning.” than any TV show. Maybe that’s why I don’t
OK, sports quiz: how many rallies did [former watch much TV.”
female World Rally ace] Michèle Mouton win? What makes you cry?
Hmm. Two? OK, I’m not sure. [Correct answer: four.] “I don’t cry easily. But sometimes I do through
What sort of passenger are you? emotion rather than sadness.”
“It depends on who’s driving. I’m not generally What was the last text message you sent?
a nervous passenger, but I become one if the driver “Just to a friend at home. Something so banal that
photography:

isn’t paying attention or – worst of all – is showing I’ve already forgotten it.”
off. That’s what I really hate and unfortunately I’ve Do you ever use your Legion d’Honneur?
seen a lot of it. On the whole I’m quite relaxed though.” “Use it for what? It’s not really the most practical

50

It takes two to tango: For all of
his World Rally Championship
wins, Loeb was partnered by
co-driver Daniel Elena
Heroes
“I’m not generally a
nervous passenger,
but I become one if the
driver doesn’t pay
attention or shows off”
of things. I’ve worn it once, when I was presented
with it earlier this year, and funnily enough I can’t
think of any other occasion when I might wear it
again. I don’t get to go to many state banquets.”
Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?
“Michael Schumacher.”
Vettel or Schumacher?
“Vettel’s a great talent, but I think it’s a bit too
early to judge him or compare him to Schumacher.
Michael has seven titles. So I’ll go for Schumacher.
For now at least.”
How do you prepare for a rally?
“Nothing special. I’ve done a few rallies, so it’s
a fairly well-rehearsed routine. You make sure that
you have a good recce, a good set of pace notes and
a good night’s sleep. Having said that, my last title
was the hardest I have ever taken. It went down to
the last day of the last rally and that was stressful.”
You broke your right arm in four places four
years ago falling off a mountain bike: how is it?
“It’s absolutely fine now, although it took me the best
part of a year to get over it. It actually surprised me
how long it took, but it was a really nasty break in
my ball joint where the arm meets the shoulder.”
51
 Heroes

A-Z
Rally New Zealand
D
is for Duckworth

Arguably the most glamorous

entrant in the rally’s history,
Nikki Duckworth was the
reigning Miss New Zealand when
she sat in the co-driver’s seat for

A Graham Lorimer in 1980.

E
is for Auckland

Rally New Zealand celebrates

its 40th anniversary with is for El Matador
a return to Auckland, after
three very successful years in Carlos Sainz, aka ‘El Matador’,
Making a splash: Loeb Hamilton. That means the return was the first driver to score a hat-
holds the record for the of some classic Northland stages trick of wins in New Zealand. His
most wins in the WRC as well as two new special stages wins here in 1990 and 1992 were
at the Auckland Domain and the vital in helping him to the WRC
Is it a bit silly having a mountain-bike newly completed Hampton championship in those years and
accident when you’re a rally driver? Downs circuit. he still holds the WRC record for
the most career starts, podium
“Yes. I didn’t feel too clever when I had to call the
finishes and points.
team to tell them what had happened.”
What goes through your mind when you B
crash out of a rally?
“It depends on the accident. If it’s a big one: ‘I hope
is for Bourne
F
is for Flying Finns
we’re OK.’ If it’s a smaller one: ‘I hope we can get Possum Bourne is a name
synonymous with rallying in
back in the rally.’ But luckily I’ve not had too many Hannu Mikkola, Timo Salonen,
New Zealand. Three time
big accidents. I’d like to keep it that way.” winner of the Asia-Pacific Rally Juha Kankkunen, Tommi
What’s your favourite book? Championship and seven Mäkinen and Marcus Grönholm
“That’s easy. The autobiography of my former boss consecutive Australian titles, – between them the Flying Finns
Guy Frequelin: Pilote de Ma Vie [Driving my Destiny]. Bourne’s best finish on Rally won 11 Rally New Zealand titles.
New Zealand was third in 1981. Mikkola was the first European
It’s available from all good bookshops. I think I’ve winner, driving a Ford Escort
Rodger Freeth, his co-driver for
earned my commission now.” RS1600 to victory in the 1973
many years, died in a crash
What’s your favourite cheese? during Rally Australia in 1993. Heatway, the rally that
[Another long pause] “I’ve actually completely Ten years later, Bourne was killed announced New Zealand as a
forgotten what my favourite cheese is called. It’s in a car crash in Queenstown. world-class rally destination.
strong, I know that. I like cheeses that taste of cheese.”
What do you think of journalists?
“It depends on the journalist. I’ve known
some terrible ones and also some good ones.
C G
is for Grönholm
is for Colin McRae
But they’ve all got a job to do, and on the whole
The late Scotsman scored his Marcus Grönholm’s win in 2007
they don’t treat me too badly.” was significant for a number
first WRC points in the New
Do you know the words to La Marseillaise of reasons. The Finn overtook
Zealand in 1989. His first WRC
[the French national anthem]? win came in New Zealand in 1993 Carlos Sainz as the most
“No.” and he went on to win three Rally successful driver in Rally New
Who’s your favourite singer? New Zealand titles in a row from Zealand history with five wins.
“I really don’t have one. I’m not the most with-it 1993-95. The last of those wins It was the closest winning
in 1995 helped him to his one margin in the history of the
person when it comes to keeping up with what’s WRC with Grönholm beating
and only world title.
going on with music, TV, and films. People will Sébastien Loeb by just 0.3
often talk about some celebrity and I won’t have seconds. And it was the last of
even heard of them. With music, I tend just to listen Grönholm’s 30 rally wins.
to what comes on the radio or not bother at all.”

H
Outside of France, which is the country Colin Mcrae
you have been to most?
bilder: cxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Switzerland, because I live there.” is for Heatway

How old were you when you stopped
believing in Santa Claus? …just one of the naming rights
sponsors of Rally New Zealand
“What, you mean he doesn’t exist?” over the years. This year there is
en.redbulletin.com/print2.0 no naming rights sponsor; it’s
For news and updates on Sébastian Loeb’s championship simply called Rally New Zealand.
charge on the Rally New Zealand, go to www.rallynz.org.nz

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 Possum
Bourne
I
is for international
Rally New Zealand went
international in 1971 with
Australian Bruce Hodgson the
first overseas driver to win the
rally. Since then, drivers from
Great Britain, Finland, Italy,
Sweden, Germany, Austria, Spain
and Norway have won the event.
In 2001 the WRC teams voted
the Propecia Rally New Zealand,
the ‘Rally of the Year’.
J
is for Japanese
Japanese drivers have been some
of the best supporters of the rally
and were a key factor in keeping
the rally going during the lean
years in the mid-1980s.
Juha Kankkunen
K
is for Kankkunen
One of the greats, Juha Kankkunen
won in New Zealand in 1986
pipping Markku Alén on his way to
becoming the youngest-ever world
rally champion at the age of 27.
L Q
is for Loeb
Sébastien Loeb of course.
The French legend has won
twice in New Zealand in 2005
and 2008 and he will be the
man to beat in 2010.
M
is for Motu
The Motu stage along the Motu
Gorge Road in the Eastern Bay
of Plenty earned a reputation
as one of the most technically
challenging stages in world
rallying during the 1980s and
’90s. Colin McRae holds the stage
record crediting his fast time to
‘not letting the car go sideways’.
N
is for notes
Pace notes to be exact. Rally
New Zealand resisted calls to
introduce pace notes until 1981.
The insistence on a ‘secret
route’ did not find favour with
international teams who were
used to driving with pace notes
and were wary of their cars and
drivers being involved in serious
accidents because of the lack
of a reconnaissance run before
the rally proper.
O
is for one-hit wonder
For some drivers winning the
Rally New Zealand has been
the highlight of their careers.
Drivers like Fulvio Bacchelli,
Franz Wittmann, Josef Haider and
Russell Brookes all won in New
Zealand but never made the top
step of the podium again.
P
is for Paddon
Hayden Paddon is well on his
way to becoming New Zealand’s
next rally superstar. The 23-year-
old from Geraldine, in Canterbury,
is the only New Zealand driver
competing in the 2010 WRC,
where he will be competing in
the Production class.
is for Quattro
The Group B Audi sport Quattro,
which made its debut in 1984,
made its final appearance as
a factory entry on the 1985
Rally New Zealand.
R
is for roads
New Zealand is recognised as
having some of the best rally
roads in the world with the mix
of gravel and tarmac providing
a real test of the driver’s ability.
The extreme camber and fast
corners on some of the stages
demands a driving style that
has often been compared to
dancing with a rally car.
S
is for South Island
The rally has roared along
South Island roads on just three
occasions, in 1973, 1976 and
1980. Apart from the logistical
nightmare of getting the teams,
cars and drivers across the Cook
Strait and the sponsors’ need to
get the most bang for their buck
by basing the rally around the
biggest population centre, the FIA
regulation restricting changes to
the route was the final nail in the
coffin for South Island stages.
T
is for Thompson
Murray Thompson was a lawn
mower dealer from Wellington
who played a huge part in
securing world championship
status for the rally in 1977.
Thompson helped organise the
first Shell Silver Fern rally in
1969. He finished ninth in 1970
in the family Rover and became
rally director in 1971.
U
is for unexpected
As in expect the unexpected.
Rallying in New Zealand throws
up some interesting challenges –
the weather, blind crests and
the occasional stray sheep.
V Z
is for Viaduct Harbour
The venue for the ceremonial
start of the 2010 Rally New
Zealand on Thursday, May 6
at 18:30hrs.
Heroes
W
is for Wellington Car Club
Wellington Car Club was
responsible for the first Rally
New Zealand with the Shell Silver
Fern Rally in 1969, the first
special-stage rally to be held in
New Zealand. There were 33
starters and 22 finishers with
Grady Thompson leading the field
home in a Holden Monaro V8.
Xevi Pons
X
is for Xevi Pons
The Spanish driver leads the
Super 2000 WRC (S-WRC) after
back-to-back wins in Jordan and
Mexico. Pons, former team-mate
of Loeb at Citroën, started his
motorsport career on two wheels
and won the 1998 Spanish
national enduro championship. He
started rallying in 2002 winning
the Spanish national Group N
gravel title a year later. He has
won seven WRC stages, but
never a world rally outright.
Y
is for yearly
From 1975 to 2008 Rally New
Zealand was an annual fixture on
the New Zealand motorsport
calendar, attracting the top
international drivers. That is until
2009 when the rally wasn’t held
because of the FIA’s policy of
alternating WRC events. Rally
New Zealand isn’t on the WRC
schedule for 2011 and there are
real concerns the 2010 rally
could be the last time the WRC
comes to New Zealand.
is for zoom-zoom-zoom
Mazda scored its one and only
win in Rally New Zealand in 1989
with the late Ingvar Carlsson
seeing off the determined
challenge of local hero Rod Millen,
who was also driving a Mazda.
53