Sebastien Loeb breaks down…right from the shakedown!

The 5th Rally Mexico, the 3rd round of the 2008 World Rally Championship, began this morning with the usual shakedown.

The two Citroën C4 WRCs of Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena and Dani Sordo/Marc Martí set off from the service park in León located within the Poliforum.

On the connecting road leading them to the start of the 5.13 km section reserved for this shakedown, crew number 1 (Loeb-Elena) first experienced a loss of engine power, and then the engine started running on three cylinders. They then called the Citroën Sport team and the decision was made to turn back. Once back within the Double Chevron’s structure, the decision was made to change the engine.

« We had a doubt, so the team preferred to proceed with replacing the engine, » explained the Frenchman.

« Normally, the regulations allow us to do so and we should not incur penalties. »

To validate their rally and be able to start their weekend, the world champion crew will still have to take part in one of the 10 shakedown test sessions.

On their side, Dani Sordo and Marc Marti experienced a calmer morning. “We took advantage of this shakedown to regain our bearings on the gravel and make some small adjustments to our car,” the Spaniard recounted.

According to statements collected by the Citroen team