Loeb savors his performance in Formula 1
The five-time world rally champion, Sébastien Loeb, took part in a real-world testing session with the Red Bull Racing team yesterday. He expressed his satisfaction with his performance at the wheel of the RBR4, as he was the sole representative of the Austrian team during the first day of testing in Barcelona (Spain). The Frenchman […]
The five-time world rally champion, Sébastien Loeb, took part in a real-world testing session with the Red Bull Racing team yesterday. He expressed his satisfaction with his performance at the wheel of the RBR4, as he was the sole representative of the Austrian team during the first day of testing in Barcelona (Spain).
The Frenchman had already experienced the sensation of being in a F1 single-seater since last year Renault had already offered him this opportunity at the Paul Ricard circuit. However, yesterday’s test was very different: « It’s a circuit where all the teams come to train all year round and for me it’s the third time I’m in an F1, so I’m happy with what I’ve done », he told AFP.
Third time actually because he had done a few laps in England, on a wet track to get familiar with the Red Bull.
When I drove the Renault, I tried to go fast but there was asphalt everywhere at Castellet, you could afford to make a mistake. Here, it’s a real circuit, there are corners where you can’t miss, so it took me a little time to find my limits, explained the Alsatian.
He completed 82 laps in several sessions with a best time in the afternoon of 1:22.503.
« I was hoping not to be too far off and I’m especially happy with the feeling I had today, in the end, when I was improving my times. Especially since I knew where I could gain more, notably on braking in most of the corners, » he confided.
Loeb is a versatile driver as he also knows the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, he made the comparison: « It’s very different from Le Mans, we are at a much higher level in terms of grip, braking points, and curve trajectories. But the Le Mans experience was important for teaching me how to drive with such grip on the circuit. »
He was forced to drive with an F1 without stability control due to the new rules in place since 2008: « Without traction control, it was necessary to adjust carefully to avoid slipping, it was very difficult to do. And moreover, with slick tires, it was really very brutal. As I’m not used to it, I tend to tense up. Gradually, I felt more comfortable and relaxed, so it went better towards the end. »
