May 20th, 2009 – Beating Loeb has become “mission impossible” for his rivals. It almost seems that he has become even stronger, since his 2009 domination is evident even at statistics’ level. The Frenchman has won 48 out of the 94 special stages run so far, more than 50% of the total. In Sardinia Loeb could establish another record, seven consecutive wins in the World Championship. He won the last event of 2008, Wales Rally GB, and then went on to win the first five events of the 2009 season.

Q. With which state of mind will You start next Friday?

A. Aiming to win in Sardinia, where I have already finished first three times in 2005, 2006 and 2008. This year I have begun very well, I have won the first five events of the season and I would like to continue this positive trend.

Q. What do You think of the Rally d’Italia Sardegna ?

A. This is an event I like, in Sardinia the weather is always good, the stages have improved year after year, actually in the beginning they were too narrow, but they always remained very technical and demanding.

Q. And what do You think of the new stages of the 2009 route ?

A. I would say that stage number 8, Fiorentini, is very technical and there could be important gaps, while number 7, Sa Linea, is full of rocks and very slippery.

Q. Rally d’Italia Sardegna has got to its sixth edition, can we now say that it has earned a place in the history of the WRC ?

A. Without doubt, Sardinia is a Rally which has earned its place in the World Rally Championship during these years, and is rightfully part of it, besides it is one of the events I like most.

Q. This was a perfect start to the season for You, are You thinking of achieving Grand Slam, that is to win all the rallies this season ?

A. We are halfway into the championship, it is too soon to say. I must keep winning and it will not be easy, beginning from this race, so we will see what will happen event after event, at present I am not thinking about this”.

<-- back