Zoom Raikkonen and Kubica share an interest in rallying

Now crowned with a sixth World Rally Championship title, Frenchman Sebastien Loeb will take part in the Rally du Var at the end of November, a round of his country's national championship.

Last year the Citroen driver had competed in the event at the controls of a C2 with his wife Severine taking over the co-driving duties; the couple had reached the third step of the podium. The Loebs will repeat the adventure this year, but the C2 has been traded for a top-of-the-line C4 WRC.

Among his rivals, multiple champion Loeb might find the name of a Formula One driver on the entry list: French daily Nice-Matin has reported on persistent rumours regarding Robert Kubica's participation in the Rally du Var at the wheel of the Skoda Fabia WRC he purchased a few months ago.

Loeb attempted to secure a Grand Prix guest drive this year in order to test his skills with F1 machinery, but if Kubica does in fact compete in the event, we will see an F1 driver taking on some rally action instead.

The Pole is not the only F1 driver displaying an interest in rallying. At the wheel of a Fiat Grande Punto, Kimi Raikkonen took part in Rally Finland when the WRC visited his homeland in early August.

Despite crashing into a ditch, the 2007 F1 champion finished 15th, with Loeb remarking that the Finn had only been a second slower per kilometre. Raikkonen is considering a career in rallying after he eventually retires from Formula One.

Daniel BASTIEN
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