Now i know this guy is probably one of the best if not the best driver in the world but i will be pleased if he retires at the end of this season. although he's brilliant i think he's taken something away from the WRC (the excitement of whos's going to win)

i know ford's Jari Matti Latvala won Rally GB but its a rare occurrence anyone but Loeb wins an event.

Great to see the Rally GB thread too as rallying helped propel Ford and the RS brand to were they are today which we all love.

 

He's there to be beaten, someone will eventually do it (well, maybe), possibly one of the most gifted drivers ever, but because he does rallying, and not formula 1, he will never get the recognition he deserves. He has won race of champions, tested F1 (said very competitive times too), tested (or was it competed) in Le Mans (competitive again), and totally wiped the floor with everyone in the USA in rally x. Although I agree it is about time he had real competition.

 

Annoyingly brilliant.

 

Good way of summing him up actually.

 

I'm getting bored of his outstanding driving now lol, we need some competition back in the sport tbh. And I wish they would loose the driver aids so they could really test their skill. I also think they should bring back night stages like the good old days. That will pick out the best of the best

 

Maybe do something like they do i touring cars like make the leaders carry extra weight etc?

 

some great ideas there night stages and additional weight. if only we had a say with the MSA or the FIA ha ha

 

unhuman...

 

why do people hate those that are absolutely at the top of their game and win rather than respecting? Really annoys me!! Does anyone think it's by accident? He applies himself and has more natural talent than his competitors, just like Rossi, Schumacher, etc - I'd rather admire them for being masters of the game than slate them for being boring because they beat the rest.

 

very very talented ,its just a shame he do not drive for ford .

 

Totally agree ive never liked the bloke for some reason and he has just made the sport boring, it like f1 when schumacher was winning all the time. Remember the days of mcrae, burns, makkinen and sainz? It was fantastic to watch, you never knew who would win and the championship went down to the last rally for quite a few years in a row

 

I love watching Loeb evertime, it makes the rest of the competition try that little harder to beat him, i actually think it makes it more interesting watching the rest try so so hard and try every possible setup/tactic to do so.

With out a doubt the best driver in the world

 

Absolutely spot on mate! In F1 even the team bosses were moaning at Ferrari being so good in the Schumacher era. However Ron Dennis always said "they're quick, but its down to us to get better and beat them" - so respect to Ron!

 

He wouldn't finish a Rally then..

 

I like him, love to watch him, he's changed rallying and I believe he's the best rally driver ever!

 

Even more amazing is him doing it in a French car !! It must be the only reliable french car in the world lol

 

WHY THE HELL SHOULD LOEB RETIRE!!

It's not his fault no one can beat him,he should not suffer for his success,although I do agree it is making the wrc predictable at the mo but it's time the other teams/drivers step up their game I'm not a massive fan of him (not against him tho)but he has a right to be there and do his best.

I really can't believe the suggestion of retirement due to him winning too much

 

Totally agree

 

I'd like see him in a lesser car for once give some
One else a chance at Citroen ,

 

I'd like to see him change motorsport discipline. Rallying is basically dead now. There is nothing left for him to prove, he's better than the shambles that is currently happening.

IMO, he helped kill rallying, took away all the excitement by being so consistent. It's not his fault but it is what it is.

 

The last driver to come close to challenging Loeb was Gronholm, but always threw it away with silly mistakes! Loeb has so much natural ability it's unreal and always keeps a cool head in any situation. As much as it pains me to say it, he is the best in the world at what he does.

 

i couldn't agree more but its what the sport needs right mow im not a hatter just want to see some competition

 

ha ha you've not read the start of the tread properly! the guy is thinking of retirement anyways not wishing it on anyone the blokes a legend. its just time for a change he's been at the top of the sport for 8yrs and no one can catch him have you not been watching lol

 

Oh yeah,I have
I must admit I thought you were suggesting he retires,reading it again I agree with you

 

Mikko Hirvonen is a citroen driver along side Loeb this year, after chasing him for years in a ford he still cant beat him in an identical citroen.

 

Yes but takes a year set your car up how
You want it so mabe next year if he still driving
For them , I lost intrest in the sport years ago
Now just watch rallycross an Irish Tarmac
Rally's

 

I think Loeb could turn his hand to any Motorsport and be very competitive , he's just one of those very gifted people!

 

Totally agree mate.

 

What channel is it on nowadays? I always used to watch the WRC especially as aforementioned, when McRae, Burns, Makkinen et al were rallying.

As for Loeb; he is a superb driver but so far ahead of the rest it reduces the excitement factor somewhat.

 

Loeb,Rossi,Shumacher Its an odd time in motorsport , and maybe somthing to revell in as it may never happen again to see such mastery ,as dull as it may seem these have been unique careers to witness.

 

check out time for tea on piston heads today ! now that's what i'm talking about rallying at its best

 

Exactly.

After Grönholm quit, he has had little to none competition. He is fast, but I think his greatest advantage is the fact that he never tries too much, and always finishes. He does not make mistakes. Specially Latvala has been faster many times, but problem with him is that he tries too much and eventually crashes. Hirvonen does not crash often but he seems not to be fast enough to beat Loeb continuously.

At this point, Hirvonen, Latvala and Ogier start to get close to Loeb's speed and provide him competition. Few years ago Loeb did not have any experienced and fast drivers against him so he had easy victories. Now the young drivers start to learn and get faster each season and it won't take long till eventually they will beat Loeb. In the era of real competition amongst WRC drivers, he would not had achieved what he has. If he would've had Kankkunen, Röhrl, Vatanen, Mäkinen, Sainz, McRae etc. against him, it would not be easy for him. Question is, will he eventually quit WRC before somebody faster than he will beat him.

PS. Citroen is reliable and works, Ford seems to have technical problems always. The cars might be equally fast, but like always, you can't trust a Ford.