Loeb Rules Out Career in Formula One

Seven-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb made it very clear that he doesn't want to pursue a career in Formula One racing. Although it doesn't come as a shock to anyone, unless you're one of those Michael Schumacher fans that believe his F1 comeback this year was truly inspirational, the Frenchman admitted that age is the main factor in his decision.

“I don't think it's (a) potential for the future,” said Loeb in a recent interview with CNN, while also admitting it is “too late” to start a career in the Great Circus at the age of 36.

F1 action was in fact on the table for the Citroen driver in recent years. And we're not talking about Valentino Rossi-like tests, set up just for the fun of it, but an actual race in the Formula One championship. It happened last year, when his sponsor from the WRC Red Bull had arranged for Loeb to drive a STR-prepared car in the season finale at Abu Dhabi.

After doing some tests in a GP2-spec challenger some weeks prior to the race, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) made the unfortunate decision not to grant him the superlicense to race.

“Everything was planned to do the last race of the season and the FIA didn't give me the licence for that,” added Loeb, while revealing that “now I'm 36 years old and when you see some young drivers coming in, they're 20 years old, so maybe it's a bit too late. If I have the opportunities to drive a formula one car, for sure I will take it, but I've got no plan to do a career in that.”

His contract with Citroen expires at the end of next season and, according to some of his latest statements, he doesn't plan to stick around in the WRC for much longer. Having already expressed his doubts over continuing his career in the premier rallying series, the Frenchman said he may pursue other projects from 2012 onwards.

“I will maybe have some other plans, but not especially in Formula One.”