160NC 56 160NC
SÉBASTIEN LOEB PORSCHE PEOPLE CHRISTOPHORUS | 364
Of Gymnasts
and e world’s most successfulBoxers rally driver in the world’s fastest one-make cup: Sébastien Loeb has distinguished himself in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as well.
By Markus Stier Photos by Daniel Roeseler
he great champion has opted never guess Loeb is, in fact, semi-retired. for “scruy casual” today: a He is gradually pulling out of professional T-shirt, sneakers, tattered sports, participating in exactly four 2013 jeans, and a pair of large sun- World Championship rallies. Despite his glasses hiding the crinkles busy calendar, the all-round talent has made Tin his laugh-lined face. Here, in the Royal room for two guest starts in the Porsche Park of Monza, Sébastien Loeb is pushing Mobil 1 Supercup—in Barcelona and Mo- a rolling suitcase before him. For a change, naco—which is why he is in Monza: to test he is smooth-shaven; his hair has never the brand-new 911 GT3 Cup. been so short. e nine-time World Rally Champion is making a nonchalant entrance.
He’s just come straight from a GT race, “To me, the Supercup represents quite a and is actually just stopping by on his way challenge,” Loeb says, and explains why: to Rally Argentina. After that, the famous “It’s the fastest one-make cup in the world, Pikes Peak mountain race is on the agenda, everyone is driving the same model, and followed by other sports-car races. You’d the world-class drivers in the starting
54 55
160NC 56 160NC
EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 54 09.10.13EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 10:52 55 09.10.13 10:52 160NC 56 160NC
CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 SÉBASTIEN LOEB PORSCHE PEOPLE CHRISTOPHORUS | 364
First drive in Monza: Loeb tests the high-speed track from behind the wheel of a VIP Porsche featuring a Martini Racing design
lineup leave no doubt: competition is very Formula One world champions are usually car and came in second at the 24 Hours of made him an icon for Citroën, his long- on can view the job as somewhat wearying. tough.” Which is just the way he likes it. the better-known superstars, and yet most Le Mans. Loeb could well be described as term employer. But the French driver has “All those long weekends, the never-end- His rst two Supercup races, which will racing aces would agree that when it comes a real-life counterpart to Michel Vaillant, a close relationship with Porsche, as well. ing liaison stages, two days of training at be part of the Formula One Grand Prix in to mastery of the vehicle, rally drivers rule. the French comic book hero. Loeb, a for- An electrician by training, as soon as he 80 km/h—the luster can wear o,” he says. Barcelona and Monaco, will at the same Reigning Formula One world champion mer gymnast, has taken nine consecutive had earned enough money to buy a fast car, time be the debut for the new 911 GT3 Sebastian Vettel is an avowed Walter Röhrl WRC titles. Now 39, Loeb has racked up that’s what he did: a Porsche 911, model e eternal champion wants to have time Cup. e 338 kW (460 hp) motorsport ver- admirer. Former champion Kimi Räik- 78 victories over the course of twelve years. series 993. for other, new endeavors. Since 2012, these sion of the new GT3 is based on the cur- könen devoted two years to the World Ral- His competitors would have to pool their endeavors have included his own racing rent 911 generation, and in 2013 it will be ly Championship (WRC), but never quite wins in order to surpass that. He’s won the team. His friend and former sponsor Dom- raced exclusively in the international top made it to the podium. renowned Monte Carlo Rally seven times inique Heintz had a rally team in mind, but series of this one-make cup. Loeb heads for in all. at was ten years ago, and since then Loeb Loeb was more interested in a circuit proj- the pit, where he shakes hands with each has periodically tried his luck in the French ect, which would include a two-car team in of the technicians and mechanics. ey are You’ll nd Loeb’s name at the top of near- Carrera Cup—just for fun. And having the French Carrera Cup. His driver Jean- always pleased to see him. And the world Briefing for the champion: There’s strong Sébastien Loeb can’t be pinned down either. ly every list of World Rally Championship fun is his top maxim at the moment. After Karl Vernay promptly seized the 2012 title. champion has never been the diva type. competition in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup He has already tested a Formula One race records. Loeb and his WRC cars have twelve years of the WRC, even a champi- e Pau street circuit was the scene of an → PAGE 60
56 57
EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 56 09.10.13EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 10:52 57 09.10.13 10:52 160NC 56 160NC
CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 SÉBASTIEN LOEB PORSCHE PEOPLE CHRISTOPHORUS | 364
Sébastien Loeb can’t be pinned down. He has already tested a Formula One race car and came in second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He’s won the World Rally Championship nine times in a row.
58 59
160NC 56 160NC
EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 58 09.10.13EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 10:52 59 09.10.13 10:52 CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 SÉBASTIEN LOEB PORSCHE PEOPLE CHRISTOPHORUS | 364
“When you’re on the racetrack, rear-wheel drive still gives you better grip than all-wheel drive at a rally.”
On the narrow circuit in Monaco, where pens—maybe one of these days, I’ll be back Sébastien Loeb was born on February 26, 1974, Loeb delivers his second guest performance, in this fantastic series.” in Haguenau, Alsace, France. he really gets stuck in trac. e statement He now resides in Lausanne, he makes after the qualifying (16th place) Here, on an unfamiliar track, Loeb met Switzerland, with his wife Séverine and becomes an immediate classic in Mona- up with a familiar face: VW factory driver their daughter. Loeb made his World co: “It was enough to drive one to despair; and rally rival Sébastien Ogier, who start- Rally Championship debut in 1999. I couldn’t get a single free lap.” During the ed in the Supercup race at the millionaires’ In 2004, he began his unparalleled race itself, he doesn’t manage to improve his playground. Ten years Loeb’s junior, the winning streak; as of 2012, he has standings, but that doesn’t a ect his enthu- talented Ogier came in 13th place. For won nine WRC titles in a row. siasm: “It was great fun. I knew that it was him, too, there’s no question about it: the going to be hard competing against the Su- Porsche Supercup is clearly the most chal- percup specialists. Well, we’ll see what hap- lenging one-make cup in the world.
Unfamiliar territory: The rally star in Monaco’s guard rail canal CUSTOMISED.CUSTOMISED. PROFESSIONAL. PROFESSIONAL. OSPA. OSPA.
exciting duel between Vernay and the team speeds: “At Le Mans, you take a swig of slightest,” says Sébastien Loeb, “that gives principal. Loeb just managed to win the water at 370 km/h and tighten your seat me more time to chat with friends, and in qualifying and both races. “Jean-Karl is re- belt.” And he’s happy to dispense with the particular, I don’t have to wait so long for ally fast, but passing is not really an option familiar all-wheel drive as well: “When a cup of co¡ee.” At which point he again in Pau,” says Loeb with a grin. you’re on the racetrack, rear-wheel drive presses the button on the vending machine still gives you better grip than all-wheel in the Porsche pit. On the high-speed racetrack in Monza, drive at a rally.” Loeb spends two days homing in on the By the time he heads for Barcelona and his new 911 GT3 Cup. “Seb knows what he’s It’s not the end of the world if you mess up rst race in the Porsche Supercup—im- doing,” Porsche factory driver Nick Tan- a test in a rally car or stall at the start of the mediately after the rally championship in dy says approvingly. By the end of the rst race—you can still catch up. at’s not so Argentina—he has chalked up yet anoth- Hello Tom,Hello these Tom, arethese my are my day, Loeb is just two-tenths of a second on a circuit, where you can make or break er big gravel victory in South America. behind the German Carrera Cup cham- your weekend during a qualifying lap or He eagerly hits the circuit in Spain. In the water specialistswater specialists – just – just pion. Loeb is not deceived, however: “e at the starting lineup. For a long- distance qualifying, he advances to 13th place. “I’m Supercup standard is very, very high, and specialist, it calls for a mental switch. getting to know the car better and better click throughclick through and have and a have a the others are more experienced than I. Sébastien Loeb’s new motto is, “If it’s un- with each lap,” he comments about the My chances are small, but I have nothing familiar, it’s probably good.” at’s why VIP 911 from Porsche, painted in a Marti- browse...browse... to lose.” he drove in the GT Championship this ni Racing design. In the race, he continues year and plans to compete in the World to advance, this time to 11th place. Loeb Touring Car Championship in 2014. As takes a critical look at his performance: “I in the Super cup, these races are around a was too cautious in the early laps. It’s di£- o o e man who normally races at 200 km/h half hour in length—scarcely longer than cult to pass other vehicles when there are so www.ospa.inwww.ospa.in over gravel roads surrounded by trees a 40-kilometer gravel test in the WRC. many strong drivers ahead of you, all mov- Ospa SchwimmbadtechnikOspa Schwimmbadtechnik doesn’t have a problem with the high Isn’t that a bit on the short side? “Not in the ing at the same speed.” Mail: ospa@Mail:ospa.info ospa@ •ospa.info www.ospa.info • www.ospa.info Sales and serviceSales and partner service in partnerthe UK: in the UK: 60 OCIO London,OCIO Mobil: London, +44 Mobil:7702 811 +44 265, 7702 www.ociolondon.com 811 265, www.ociolondon.com
EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 60 09.10.13EN_CPM_364_054-061.indd 10:52 61 09.10.13 10:52