Sebastien Loeb throws down the gauntlet on the shakedown
for the opening round of the 2015 World Rally Championship.
Loeb would post the fastest time some four
tenths of a second quicker than his Citroen team-mate Kris Meeke.
Loeb had the advantage of a clean road to set
his fastest time on the 2.13-mile shakedown stage, Loeb said: "The first
run was perfect. After that, the road was a big mess with mud everywhere. I
couldn't drive as I would drive if it was clean, so I didn't [push]."
Despite his fastest time on the shakedown Loeb
will be running in 14th place when the rally starts tomorrow as he scored no
points in last year's championship.
"With the new regulations, we will stay
there as well," said Loeb. "Depending on the conditions, maybe it's
good [to be 14th] or maybe we have no chance.
"We will see where we are. I can only try
my best."
Prior to running the shakedown Loeb had a little
moment in his recce car, putting it on its roof after missing a turn off.
A spokesman from the team said: "It wasn't
a problem. Sebastien didn't miss any of the recce or anything like that, he was
able to change the car and continue straight away."
Ireland’s Kris Meeke was happy with his time, with
heavy snow expected overnight Meeke did some experimenting with studded tire to
get a feel for the challenges ahead.
VW’s top gun Sebastien Ogier clocked in with the
third fastest time 1.1 seconds off Loeb, wi team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen was
fourth fastest.
Cars and drivers with make their way to Gap tomorrow morning to make the official start of the season with the ceremonial start
tomorrow afternoon.
The first stage - a 13-miler from
Entrevaux-Rouaine - gets underway at 20:21 local time.
