Loeb: Pretentious to think I can take on WRC title hopefuls in Spain
Nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb says it would be "pretentious" for him to expect he can challenge the series' current frontrunners for victory in Spain this weekend
Loeb will make his third and final planned WRC appearance of 2018 with Citroen on Rally Spain.
The Frenchman starred on his first outing since 2015 in Mexico in March, leading for much of the event before a puncture ended his victory hopes, while he was also fast in Corsica but ruined his chances of a good result when he crashed his C3.
Loeb will enjoy a favourable position further down the starting order on Friday in Spain, while title contenders Thierry Neuville, Sebastien Ogier and Ott Tanak are first on the road on the WRC's only mixed-surface event.
"The standard is so high it would be pretentious to say that I'll be able to challenge the three title contenders, but I hope to be more or less on the pace," said Loeb.
"If it's dry on day one, we'll need to make the most of the potential advantage of our road position, because lots of things always happen on this leg, with hidden rocks pretty much everywhere."
Loeb said his primary objective in Spain was to complete the rally cleanly.
"After setting some good times on both surfaces in Mexico and in Corsica, I'd love to get through an entire rally without making any mistakes," said Loeb, who was involved in Citroen's pre-Rally GB test as part of his preparations for Rally Spain.
"My two days of testing went well. It's now up to me to put it all together, from start to finish."
Block won't have 'blind trust' in car on WRC return at Rally Spain
WRC Rally Spain: Points leader Neuville rolls Hyundai on shakedown
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team
Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team
Ogier eyes WRC Monte Carlo rematch with Loeb
Ogier eyes WRC Monte Carlo rematch with Loeb Ogier eyes WRC Monte Carlo rematch with Loeb
Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start
Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start
Marquez “completely agrees” with penalty for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Marquez “completely agrees” with penalty for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash Marquez “completely agrees” with penalty for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Aleix Espargaro: Marquez should have one-race ban for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Aleix Espargaro: Marquez should have one-race ban for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash Aleix Espargaro: Marquez should have one-race ban for Oliveira Portugal MotoGP crash
Marquez escapes Oliveira Portugal MotoGP clash with minor penalty
Marquez escapes Oliveira Portugal MotoGP clash with minor penalty Marquez escapes Oliveira Portugal MotoGP clash with minor penalty
Di Grassi "underestimated" team differences with Formula E's Gen3 car
Di Grassi "underestimated" team differences with Formula E's Gen3 car Di Grassi "underestimated" team differences with Formula E's Gen3 car
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
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.