http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...6--12-12-.html
Matton would like Loeb to do gravel test as well
Printable View
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/augus...6--12-12-.html
Matton would like Loeb to do gravel test as well
Great piece, thanks for sharing it dimvii. The L’Equipe journo does a fantastic job describing the atmosphere around this very special day for Loeb and Citroen, as this wasn’t just a ordinary test session; it was the return of the 9 times champ to a WRC car and to his long time team. Besides Loeb’s comments on the C3 (like sonnybobiche already mentioned), we got to know that Loeb, his entourage and the whole Citroen team were delighted and there was a tangible feeling that this could be the start of something big. For now, both Matton and Loeb just talked about a possible gravel test coming next.
Some quotes:
Loeb “My first motivation was to discover the potential of these new cars. The engine goes strong, it takes more revs than the old ones, there’s more aero force and I must admit I wasn’t expecting for such a corner speed difference, on the dry, from the previous generation cars, like the DS3”; “I’ve the feeling I’m still quick behind the well”. Elena “the pace notes come out as before, it’s like we had never stopped”.
In 2016 Corsica Meeke beat Ogier in Polo on one stage by 17 seconds saying he didn't feel they were going very fast... and then ripped a wheel off on the next. This year with C3 he got to drive 6 stages. Breen was about same speed on Corsica as all other rallies. Yes we know Meeke can be quick on all surfaces and sometimes can even finish, but Corsica this year didn't particularly stand out compared with results with DS3. Btw. Breen also had about same speed in Finland with C3 as he did with DS3. In the interview between Poland and Finland Lefevbre said that in Poland the car was perfect for him whole weekend and was doing exactly what he wanted.
If a single driver (Meeke or anyone else) does well in C3 in a single rally while the rest of the team struggles, it does not show the car has changed in any way or that it's consistently good at that surface.
Up until now nobody openly complained about C3 on tarmac, Loeb is the first one.
To the last point: I do not believe any car issues "force" a driver to crash 4 times in 3 rallies from first place. Anyway there is an own thread for Meeke:
http://www.motorsportforums.com/show...t-Performances
Still looks :cool:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGzKJ_6XUAE2gHl.jpg
I think what Loeb said about the car basically backs up what has been said on here, in low traction conditions the rear is loose and makes the car hard to drive. When the traction is high its very good.
I have to admit, I'd like to see him have a go at it again...