Loeb: rule changes can help us
Double World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb believes the rule changes for the 2006 season will help his efforts of clinching a third consecutive title in a privateer team, since his manufacturer-backed rivals will have lost their advantage
Loeb, who drove for Citroen last year, will drive a Kronos-run Xsara this year until the French carmaker makes a return to the sport in 2007.
But despite admitting the factory-backed drivers would normally have an advantage, he says the new rules this season could level the playing field.
"They may have an advantage because they will have more people working on their behalf," Loeb said in an interview on his official website. "Although, with the new regulations, it shouldn't make as much of a difference."
The Frenchman was also adamant that his new team environment will not change his approach to rallying - or the identity of his rivals, for that matter.
"Whether I'm driving for Citroen or Kronos doesn't change anything about my approach," he said. "My approach to driving shouldn't change even if the environment is different. There is no reason why it won't work as it is.
"It's done me good to have a break, even if we've done a fair bit of testing. I think everything is in place to attack the new season; at any rate I am.
"We have done a lot of testing on all surfaces since Rally Australia to make sure the car is properly adapted to the new regulations, especially in respect of the switch to passive differentials. We've had to do a lot of modifications and work on the car's set-up."
As to who he thinks will be his main rivals, Loeb had no surprise answer: "The same as always - Gronholm and Solberg! They will be my main competition at Monte Carlo and at all the rounds of the 2006 championship.
"But with the new rules there are some unknown quantities. Will Ford and Subaru be ready? We've done our best. Maybe another team will do even better. We'll soon find out..."
Solberg is bookies' title favourite
Ford not feeling fully prepared yet
Neuville: Everything must be “on point” for Ypres WRC victory repeat
Rally Belgium favourite Thierry Neuville admits everything will need to be “on point” to be competitive when the World Rally Championship heads to his home event in Ypres this weekend.
WRC Rally Belgium: Everything you need to know
The World Rally Championship heads to the asphalt roads of Ypres Rally Belgium this weekend, with Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera facing a slim prospect of wrapping up the title.
Third-generation McRae eyeing Junior WRC graduation for 2023
Third generation driver Max McRae is working hard towards stepping up to the Junior class of the World Rally Championship next season, following a test in a JWRC car.
Ex-F1 racer Kovalainen plans Japan WRC entry, eyes European outings
Ex-Formula 1 racer Heikki Kovalainen is pressing ahead with preparations for a one-off WRC outing in Japan in November and plans to contest more events in Europe in the near-future.
How Rovanpera has reignited Finland's rallying obsession
Finland may have a small population, but it has long enjoyed rallying success. Now that the nation has a new star to cheer in the form of Kalle Rovanpera, interest in the discipline is surging once again
How Tanak spoiled Rovanpera’s Finnish homecoming
Kalle Rovanpera and Toyota went into Rally Finland as overwhelming favourites but came away as runners-up to a resurgent Ott Tanak and Hyundai. While it may have dampened the homecoming party, it still moved the Finn closer to the ultimate World Rally Championship prize
Inside Hyundai’s F1-spec mobile WRC home
Hyundai is one of the World Rally Championship's big three, and has a brand-new travelling facility befitting of that status. The team invited Autosport for a behind-the-scenes look at its state-of-the-art HQ, which comes complete with all the bells and whistles you'd expect of a top Formula 1 outfit
How Rovanpera's latest Estonia masterclass left his WRC rivals stumped
After trailing Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans for much of Rally Estonia's opening day, WRC points leader Kalle Rovanpera took advantage of a change in the weather and never looked back afterwards. Winning for a fifth time this year at the scene of his 2021 breakthrough, and with a breathtaking powerstage bonus for good measure, his advantage is already looking difficult to topple
How the WRC captures its stunning visuals
Whether it’s the mountains of Monte Carlo, the snow of Sweden or the Kenya Savannah, the World Rally Championship is able to beam some of motorsport’s most spectacular footage to television screens while operating in the harshest of environments. Autosport went behind the scenes to unearth the secrets that make this logistical challenge possible
Why WRC's Safari tour is more than just a rally
OPINION: A source of national pride in Kenya, the Safari Rally is also a sporting, cultural and economic phenomenon. And as last weekend's World Rally Championship round reminded us, it's a key driver in establishing Africa’s place in world motorsport
How Rovanpera tamed a wild Safari Rally
The Safari Rally acted as a brutal test of driver and car resolve as multiple retirements opened the path for a historic Toyota 1-2-3-4 triumph, headed by star Kalle Rovanpera. But keeping things clean was only half of the challenge, as a well-timed charge when conditions worsened allowed the Finn to take control
How Tanak turned the tables to deliver Hyundai a timely WRC triumph
The 2019 champion has been a bit-part player recently, but Ott Tanak ended a 15-month drought in fine style with a dominant win in Sardinia. On a weekend when championship leader Kalle Rovanpera struggled with cleaning the road, his Hyundai rival has made his belated arrival into the title race and given cause for those predicting a walkover from the Toyota star to pause