Sebastien Loeb - the driver extra class

Nine-time champion in the rally world, French driver Sebastien Loeb is the most decorated in the history of rally racing. 170 stages of the world championships, 78 wins, 116 podiums and won nearly 900 special stages - all Loeb. In addition, Sebastian was three times winner of the "Race of Champions".

Biography

Sebastien Loeb was born on February 26, 1974 in the French town of Haguenau Alsace. The boy's parents - Gay and Ingrid - immediately decided that his son will actively engage in sports, and gave it to the gym. Mom, the coach in this sport, was glad his son achievements: four times he became county champion in his age group and took the 5th place in the national championship.

Since childhood, fond of Sebastian mechanics and electronics. It is these interests and led him to the racing motorsport.

Racing

Loeb's career in racing began in 1995. Assistant coach and the young rider became Ki Freklin - vice-champion in 1981, who later headed the permanent team of Loeb in the WRC - "Citroen".

His first race in the top flight rally Seb spent in 2000 on the car "Toyota Corsa" (rally "Tour de Corse").

In 2001 came the first results of the training skill of a born Loeb. He won the championship of international juniors race and rally his country.

In the 2002-2003 season. Loeb was ahead of his teammates - Sainz and McRae. After that, he had no equal in the individual championship.

Sebastian could become a champion already in the 2003 season, but the management team has banned winning young rider to win the team event. Since 2004, begins the complete hegemony of Sebastien Loeb in the Rally. First title was obtained thanks to six victories in steps, and six second and third two places.

Due to ten victories at the stages of next season Loeb second time became the champion. In 2005, he also participated in the marathon "24 hours of Le Mans", where he managed to become the second.

Season 2006 was also a successful and unlucky at the same time. The Frenchman played for a private team "Kronos", won more than half of podiums and never dropped below second place. But for four stages until the end of the championship Loeb broke his arm and missed the finish of the season. Nevertheless, the stock of points won him enough for third title.

Further, in each season Alsatian champion without any problems. Only in 2009 the title went to the Frenchman in the last race, and only one point divided Loeb and his rival Mikko Hirvonen. In the same year, Sebastien took part in the test rides "Formula 1" in the team, "Red Bull". But because of the refusal to license its part in the prestigious championship did not take place.

In 2010, the championship was accompanied by a new record - 276 points in the standings.

The last world championship rally driver Loeb won in 2012.

After such a fiery Frenchman's career continued to participate already in the cross rally, reseeding with "Citroen" with "Peugeot".

Currently, in addition to racing, Sebastian runs his own team and helps young riders to realize their dream of the championship in rally racing.

"Race of Champions"

"Race of Champions" is called an international competition, which is attended by famous riders of different motorsport series in the world. The team of two pilots. They compete with the buggy and touring cars.

Sebastien Loeb won three times in the prestigious race - in 2003, 2005 and 2008. Last victory went to Frenchman especially hard. He won the race buggy. But in the race for roadsters rivals he got famous by David Coulthard. After a tense struggle Loeb ahead of Coulthard just for a split second.

"Dakar"

Sebastien Loeb on the 'Dakar' dream for many years. But to participate in this prestigious competition did not allow a busy schedule of rally racing. Upon completion of a career in this kind of motorsport Frenchman was finally able to immerse themselves in preparation for the ordeal - "Dakar". His longtime co-driver Daniel Elena happily agreed to participate, along with a friend to try a new form of racing.

The first part took place in 2016. At some stages Loeb, to the surprise of many, won. In the final minutes it took 9th place. According to the Frenchman, "participate in a race and finishing said it - this is already a victory."

"Dakar-2017" has also been rich for Sebastian on the ups and downs. With experience in the previous start, Loeb has made significant progress and won second place in the overall standings, behind only acknowledged master of "Dakar" - Stephane Peterhansel.

Life

Outside of sport cheerful Frenchman dreams of creating a sports prototype. There is information that the work in this direction is already underway. Sebastian happily married to a compatriot Severin, who several times was his co-driver. They grow a wonderful daughter, Valentina. The family lives in Switzerland. Sebastien Loeb is at the "Champions for Peace". It is an organization of dozens of well-known athletes who are trying to help people through sport in all corners of the globe.

In 2009, French President awarded Loeb Legion of Honor of the civil service to the country.

Interesting Facts

Sebastien Loeb set a speed record in rally racing. In the championship of 2012, he broke up his car to 123 km / h.
In 2012, the Frenchman won the World extreme games in the category of rally-cross.
In 2013, the Alsatian became the owner of a new record in the "Pikes Peak" - the trail on the elevation of more than 4 thousand meters above sea level.. The result was a little more than eight minutes on the highway 20 km.
Before the race the Frenchman drink "Red Bull" and espresso for tone.
Loeb was the owner of "Porsche 911" and "Lamborghini Gallardo".
In 2004, Sebastian, along with Jean Alesi won the "Nations Cup".
The most successful for Loeb began the Spanish, German and Argentine stages. There he won eight times.
After winning his first world title Sebastian remembered gymnastics and did a back flip directly to the podium.