Loeb warns against S2000 future

The prospect of a shift to Super 2000 was raised at the World Motor Sport Council meeting earlier this month, after first being discussed by the FIA six months previously.

Loeb, who tested a Red Bull Formula One car at Barcelona on Monday and has indicated interest in returning to circuit racing in the future - he last competed for Pescarolo at Le Mans in 2006 - says that the S2000 category holds no interest for him.

"I do not really know about the future," said the 34-year-old. "I have heard different things about the latest decisions from the FIA. If we have Super 2000 or Group N, then that is not interesting to drive."

Key technical figures in the sport met last week to further refine cost-cutting measures, while FIA president Max Mosley, who has stated that he wants to make the sport more affordable, believes the most effective way to make the sport cheaper is to utilise a straight switch to S2000 and Group N.

Leading manufacturers remain opposed to this and propose a compromise Super 2000-plus, which is a base S2000 car with a kit of bolt-on parts such as a turbo-charger and a rear wing. It's the cost and complexity of the kit that's causing concern for the FIA.

Loeb says that he would be happy to drive such a car: "If we have this, it's not a problem for me. The power should be about the same and that's the main thing.

"It doesn't matter if the cars are a bit heavier or have less technology. In fact, if this happens, then it can be more fun, for the spectators as well."