Has Loeb's dominance become too much?
Sebastien Loeb started out as a Citroen product after winning the Junior World Rally Championship, and then went on to win the WRC every year from 2004-2007.He might win the 2008 championship, too.
Earlier this year, Loeb, won his 40th WRC event. The next most successful WRC driver ever is Carlos Sainz, who has won 26 events.
In the past, the sport has been plagued by high costs and loss of classic events. Now, a driver has come along who is so utterly dominant that interest in the sport is waning with each victory.
While Mikko Hirvonen is currently leading the driver's championship, and Ford has a steady handle on the manufacturer's championship, the focus is still on Loeb, who can easily come back and claim the title, just as he has done the past two seasons, when his chief competitor was Marcus Gronholm.
Loeb has become so much of a dominant figure that he is expected to win every event. When Hirvonen or Jari-Matti Latvala, both Ford factory drivers, win an event, it's a surprise.
While the WRC is losing popularity, the IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) is gaining ground. With manufacturers such as Ford, VW, Toyota, Peugeot, Citroen, and others having S2000 cars, it is possible that the IRC may very well replace the WRC.
Should Loeb go? Rumors already have Citroen withdrawing from the WRC for the IRC as early as next year. Will Loeb tag along?
WRC cars, Group A8 in particular, are far more domineering than S2000 cars on non-tarmac surfaces, but Loeb may not head in that direction.
Last year, he did some testing for the Renault Formula 1 team and also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. He very well could choose road racing or open-wheel racing, instead of continuing in the rally world which he has so dominated.
With Subaru making a comeback with their new Impreza WRC, the popularity of the sport may rise. Then again, it may not. If Loeb continues to win in dominant fashion, fans may abandon the sport and head elsewhere.
Should Loeb do the same for the sake of the sport?
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3 months ago
i do believe that Loeb should leave the WRC as it can be a bit boring seeing the same driver win rally after rally. Citroen without Loeb are nothing and i do believe that when his contract runs out next year they may just pack up and go to the IRC. i think that the IRC is going to get Ford Citroen and Suzuki..we will see.. From what i have heard Subaru are not that interested in the IRC for some reason????
3 months ago
He's great champion, no doubt in that, but there is whole French package which runs very well. It' only up to Loeb will he leave WRC or not. Personaly i would like to see more dominance from Finnish drivers, specialy from Jyväskylän neighboor Mikko. But combination Citroen-Loeb is the team to beat, so i'm not suprised that much why are they so succesfull.
2 months ago
I think that he should stay, it's his sport currently as the C4 is a far superior car and he has the mentality to win, along with the driving style to suit the car. Hirvonen and Latvala are working well as a unit with the MSport prepared Focus WRC, but they are still learning the trade after being in the shadow of others in previous seasons. Loeb is a figurehead in the sport, and if the new World Council proposals to appoint what is effectively the Bernie Ecclestone of the WRC then the sport will be pushed down more peoples throats, in more countries, and when that's happening, the sport needs someone like Loeb.
The rumours of Citroen leaving the WRC are still just that, and Peugeot are rumoured to be wanting back in, as well as Abarth (Fiat).
More so than the WRC shedding its drivers and teams, it needs to work with the IRC - as they are effectively sharing rallies on this questionable new rally schedule. If they get the promotion right then the WRC can be massive.
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