Loeb is as fast as an F1 driver according to Red Bull

Red Bull Racing publicly praised Sébastien Loeb’s performance, who was behind the wheel of an RB4 on the first day of testing in Barcelona.

The Frenchman had signed the eighth fastest time of the day, while on Monday, 17 drivers tackled the Catalan track. He helped the Austrian team over 82 laps to prepare for the 2009 season, which will come with extensive regulatory changes. The day of the five-time world rally champion went without a hitch.

« I expected to be pleasantly surprised and that was the case, » acknowledged Daniele Casanova, an engineer at Red Bull, to Autosport.

« Sébastien was really impressive. He allowed us not to start off on the wrong foot from the very first pre-season tests. »

Loeb drove an RB4 with the new Bridgestone slick tires and simulated race conditions with a downforce level reserved for 2009. He is considered a ‘civilian’ compared to race drivers or test drivers. Casanova nevertheless believes that the Frenchman’s performance should be put into perspective: Between the fastest and slowest single-seaters, there was a difference of 25 km/h. The teams were testing in different configurations with the presence or absence of KERS, wings, or tires.

« Being realistic, I would say that Sébastien was in the middle of the grid, which is already impressive. »

« Having a driver like Sébastien Loeb in the car had a sensational side, but we also worked hard. We had only tested the slick tires two or three times before his test day, » added Casanova.

The question everyone is now asking concerns Loeb’s intentions for the future of his career, possibly involving a move to Formula 1. The main person concerned answers this question: « Maybe I’m too old. If I were to do it, it should have been a few years ago. The opportunity was offered to me by Red Bull, so I took it. »