Here’s one to blow the Christmas cobwebs away: Sebastien Loeb’s off to Toyota to help develop the Yaris WRC.Or at least that’s the word on the street.Is it true? Hard to say. But one thing is sure: there has been contact between France and Finland about a potential job for the Japanese.
Kris Meeke’s decision to stay with Citroen has undoubtedly left Toyota and Tommi Makinen in a bit of a hole. Yes, there’s Mikko Hirvonen and Juho Hanninen to do the test mileage next season, but neither is the long-term answer.
Makinen has admitted looking to the next generation could be the way forward for Toyota’s full-time WRC return in 2017 – but the opportunity to call upon a nine-time world champion, even if it was just for a very limited programme, would be huge.
What’s in it for Makinen?
Loeb’s ability as a rally driver is beyond question. Obviously. His performance in Monte Carlo at the top of this season was simply astonishing. Yes, he crashed in the end, but while he was on the road – and in arguably more favourable conditions than those facing Sebastien Ogier – he was unbeatable.
In terms of natural talent, the Alsatian’s right up there with the best of the best. Is his edge just as sharp as it once was? Probably not, but an ever-so-slightly blunt Loeb’s better than 90 per cent of the other drivers on the market.
Loeb has vast experience of rallies across the world and ours is a sport where experience is pretty much everything – just as Robert Kubica; Loeb has banked more driving data than any of his would-be rivals in the service park right now. And all of that data’s massively downloadable and dependable, should Toyota make a move.
And finally, Loeb has real pedigree when it comes to testing and developing new rally cars. Citroen’s three super-successful motors: the Xsara, C4 and DS 3 all came with lots of Loeb input.
There’s plenty in this deal for Tommi and Toyota.
What’s in it for Loeb?
There’s the chance to come back and do some more rallying. If that’s what he really wants to do – and sources close to him indicate increasing enthusiasm to get back on the roads he ruled for so long.
His time in the World Touring Car Championship was cut short for him and clearly that rankles. Right now, his options as a Peugeot driver are relatively limited; he can come out of Dakar and do a few rounds of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country rallies (that’s if he enjoys the whole Dakar experience in the first place) for the rest of the season.
Loeb’s already said he wants more than that. So, the next best thing is World Rallycross as team-mate to Timmy Hansen.
Now, here’s the rub… moving to Toyota would give Loeb the perfect opportunity to put one over on Citroen. Fifteen years down the road from Loeb’s first deal with Guy Frequelin, the perfect partnership didn’t end exactly how Loeb would have wanted. And, some might say, the chance to go back and show his former employer what they’re missing might be interesting enough to tempt Loeb back.
For the moment, Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena are busy with Dakar. But, as soon as they’re back in Europe, it could well be time for some big decisions…