Loeb Tops France Shakedown
Sebastien Loeb declared his intent to win his home event for the first time by topping shakedown for this weekend's Rallye de France

Loeb drove carefully on last year's event to finish second and secure his first World Rally Championship. However, as the Frenchman secured his second title at the Rally Japan earlier this month, he has vowed to go all out to win the asphalt event.
Lobe drove the short test stage in Margonajo, just outside of the host town of Ajaccio, one and a half seconds quicker than his nearest rival.
Citroen are yet to wrap up the manufacturers' title. However, they could do so this weekend should rivals Peugeot have a poor rallye. Rain is expected for much of this weekend, which could prove as a leveller on the sealed-surface rally.
Peugeot's lead driver Marcus Gronholm was second in the shakedown, with Markko Martin's replacement Nicolas Bernardi in eighth in his first outing in a works 307.
Subaru's Petter Solberg showed he will be strong this weekend with third quickest time, tying with Mitsubishi's leading runner of Gilles Panizzi.
Stephane Sarrazin, driving the second points nominated Impreza on his home event, shined with a joint fifth best time with Ford's Toni Gardemeister.
Rallye de France shakedown times:
Pos Driver Make Time
1. Loeb (Citroen) 4:22.0
2. Gronholm (Peugeot) 4:23.5
3. Solberg (Subaru) 4:25.2
=. Panizzi (Mitsubishi) 4:25.2
5. Gardemeister (Ford) 4:25.4
=. Sarrazin (Subaru) 4:25.4
7. Duval (Citroen) 4:25.9
8. Bernardi (Peugeot) 4:29.0
9. Kresta (Ford) 4:32.3
10. Schwarz (Skoda) 4:33.0
11. Bengue (Skoda) 4:33.2
12. Atkinson (Subaru) 4:34.3
13. Sola (Ford) 4:34.4
14. Galli (Mitsubishi) 4:35.3
15. Rovanpera (Mitsubishi) 4:37.4
All Timing Unofficial
About this article
Series | WRC |
Drivers | Sébastien Loeb |
Author | Tim Redmayne |
Loeb Tops France Shakedown
Trending
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021
He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener
Why Britain's continued WRC absence is a wake-up call
OPINION: With Rally GB dropping off the World Rally Championship calendar for the second year in a row, one of Britain's best-attended sporting events faces an uncertain future. It's an unfortunate situation that points to troubling times ahead