Le Mans:Loeb won't race at Le Mans this year

[Plex]

Sebastien Loeb will not return to Le Mans this year for a third consecutive attempt at the 24-hour race.

The Frenchman has decided that it will not be possible to compete with the diesel-powered Audis and Peugeots with Pescarolo this year, and he has decided to focus completely on his rally commitments with Citroen.

"I'm not planning on racing at Le Mans this year," said Loeb. "This decision has been taken because I won't be able to take part under the best conditions, and Henri Pescarolo shares the same analysis."

Loeb finished second with Franck Montagny and Eric Helary in the race last year, but he believes that the advantage to diesel cars will be too great in 2007.

"In my first two races at Le Mans, I've had chances to win it," he added. "Even though the ACO have made changes in favour of petrol cars, it's just not enough to even up the field."

Loeb added that along with the cars from Audi and Peugeot, Pescarolo will run one diesel car, but that he would not have been driving it.

"My main thing to concentrate on is rallying and this season is really important," he said. "My priority is the Citroen C4 and it always will be."

Loeb added that racing a prototype could have added extra strain on the arm that he broke towards the end of last year.

"Citroen wouldn't have stopped me from racing, but they weren't too happy about it and I understand their position," he said. "Would my arm have been ready for the race? I have no idea."

Autosport.com

[Rory Phoulorie]

That's too bad. Loeb looks like he has the talent to master any type of vehicle. It is unfortunate that Peugeot did not approach him to drive their 908. Citroen and Peugeot are both part of the PSA group so there is no real conflict to that type of arrangement.

[Plex]

Agreed...The drivers peugeot took for to drive the 908, some of them are not from France...But i am looking forward to watching Le Mans 2007.