Loeb to Test for Red Bull at Barcelona

With everybody in the F1 paddock trying to secure a strong lineup for the upcoming season, the upcoming test session at Barcelona will become decisive in figuring out how the drivers' roster will look like in 2009. However, not all drivers due to test an F1 car less than three weeks from now are aiming to secure a spot inside the Great Circle next season. And Sebastien Loeb is certainly one of them (if not the only one).

The reigning world rally champion, who succeeded in defending his crown inside the WRC and secure a 5th consecutive world title last weekend in Japan, confirmed that he will be driving an F1 car for Red Bull Racing at Barcelona between November 17 – 19th. Prior to the Catalan test, the Citroen ace will be getting familiar with the RBR car at Silverstone.

“I'm absolutely delighted by this present from Red Bull to celebrate my fifth title. I already got the chance to test a Formula One car last year, but this time the circumstances will be a little different,” admitted the Frenchman, whose first experience with an F1 car happened last year at Paul Ricard circuit, while driving the Renault F1 R28 in a demonstration session.

Nevertheless, Loeb assured all his fans that he won't be leaving the World Rally Championship caravan next year. The Frenchman is lacking experience in circuit racing in the past years, his only official runs on a circuit being his last two participations in the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

“I'm now going to find myself in the midst of all the regular F1 drivers during an official test. I just hope that I don't make a fool of myself! I'd like to clear up any speculation about me possibly switching to F1 next year, I'm definitely going to be driving a Citroen C4 WRC in the World Rally Championship,” concluded Loeb.