Daniel Elena says rule changes to the sport are what kept Sebastien Loeb from quitting
Seven-time world champion co-driver Daniel Elena says the changes to the regulations in the World Rally Championship have kept Sebastien Loeb in the sport
It was announced at the June meeting of the World Motor Sport Council that the start order on gravel rallies would be decided by shakedown times on the opening day.
For days two and three, the leading drivers will run in reverse order, meaning the championship leader will no longer be disadvantaged by having to sweep the loose gravel clear by running first on the road on the opening day.
This year's championship leader from round two onwards, Loeb has been critical of the way he has been slowed on virtually all gravel rallies this season, while those behind him took a tactical approach to find the best place on the road.
Elena, who has co-driven Loeb throughout their professional careers, is adamant the WMSC decision played a significant part in Loeb's decision to stay in the WRC until 2013.
"The running order has been a disaster this year," said Elena. "This has been the hardest year for running at the front of the field and cleaning the road. [Changing this regulation] has been very important in his decision to continue.
"If it stayed the same, I'm sure he stopped. He was very angry, we couldn't carry on like this. It's easy for the other, they have the best cleaner of the road; all the time they can just fall back, back, back and let us go ahead."
On the eve of Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the world championship, Loeb leads the world championship by 27 points from Ford's Mikko Hirvonen. The Frenchman is chasing his ninth straight win in Trier this week.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
Loeb had "no chance" against three-car Audi team in Dakar after Al-Attiyah exit
Loeb's Dakar victory hopes end with mechanical issues on Stage 11
Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start
Lauda's 1976 German GP helmet to be auctioned at F1 Miami GP
Ocon wants set-up changes after China F1 sprint as "performance left on the side"
MotoGP schedule: When is the next MotoGP race and where will it be held?
Honda MotoGP boss "confused" by "good improvements" not working
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lappi survived Swedish snow carnage to snap his lengthy WRC drought
The new WRC highs Neuville reached to defeat Monte master Ogier
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments