Driver / co-driver: Sebastien Loeb and Daniel E💃lena (Citroen Total WRT).

Press conference.

Q:
Sebastꦇien, congratulations on your eighth FIA World Rally Championship title. Before we talk about what happened today, tell me what it means to secure Championship number eight?

Sebastien Loeb:
For sure I feel very happy. It's a new record and until this week it was Michael Schumacher with seven and now we are eight. I know it's unfair to compare but everyone is speaking about it, but for sure 🅘I am proud of it and it's very special and it was also a special season. It was a really difficu🔴lt one and there were a lot of battles everywhere. With every rally we had to fight against a rival, either Mikko or Seb Ogier, sometimes Jari-Matti. So to finish like this with some proud moments that we had, like in Germany, Australia and in France where we finally lost a lot of points and we had to start again from zero with two rallies to go. It is a proud moment to be here. It was big pressure - we had to give everything all the time.

Q:
Today we saw you retire on the road section heading toward the second stage of the day, describe what happeneꦺd?

Sebastien Loeb:
We had a narrow road se༒ction between the two stages with some crests. I was just driving and over the cr෴est was a car in front so I brake and go to the side. But the problem was it was a Spanish driver and she went on the wrong side so she just had a bad reflex and we hit two cars at the front and broke the radiator.

Q:
How disappointed were you?

Sebastien Loeb:
Daniel asked me in the car "are we finished?" and I reply "Yes, I think so." But never mind, we are still World Champi൲ons. So we say "No problem!" We were not so disappointed. We came here to win this title, ♊and that is done and that's the most important. For sure we were in a good fight with Jari-Matti and we had a lot of pressure, but it was just for fun. We have to accept it. If I had to choose one rally where this thing happens I would chose this, so it's okay.

Q:
How strong is your passion still for this sport?

Sebastien Loeb:
For sure I started rally for passion and quickly I was able t𝄹o drive for a manufacturer. And today I still feel the same sensation when I drive the car. I would say I really like driving, and the rallies, so that's my main motivation. It will not change my life if I have seven titles, eight or nine. It's just because I enjoy the moment and I like what I do.

Q:
Daniel, what does it me♛an for you to have you😼r eighth world title?

Daniel Elena:
It's special because on this event we really had to keep ꧃our concentration. We didn't know if we were fighting with Mikko✨ or Jari-Matti and now I am very happy for this title.

Q:
I﷽s co-driving still exactly the same than when you first💜 started?

Daniel Elena:
Yes sure. I love my job and it is my passion. When you are born in Monaco you have the Formula One and the 🍌rally, and I chose Rallye Monte Carlo because it is easier for me! I am very happy - I hope to𒆙 continue for more years.

Q:
We kick 🎀off the new season in Monte Carlo. You must be🐟 looking forward to that?

Daniel Elena:
Yes, Monte Carlo is my home rally like France is for S?ba༺st🦩ien.

Q:
Sebastien, what is the next goal for you?

Sebastien Loeb:
Second place next year! I have eight titles in a row and I can only have one goal and that is to win another title next year. I have nꦚo precise plan for what I do when I retire. I just hope I will stay in motorsport.

Questions from the floor

Q: Greg Strange (World Rally Radio, UK).
Sebastien, ♏you have a contract for another two years with Citro?n. Does that mean you are going for 10 world titles?

Sebastien Loeb:
If you are asking if I can, I say I hope! I don't know. At the moment my💜 goal is next year and after that I will see. For sure everything is pos♌sible

Q:
Do you mind who 🔯[team-mate] you drive with next year?

Sebastien Loeb:
With Daniel no?!. No, it matters not who I dr𒉰ive with.

Q: Martin Holmes (Martin Holmes Rallying, UK).
Can you tell us about your plans for your Porsche 🍷team?

Sebastien Loeb:
At the start of the season I was trying to get some contacts for racing, maybe n🍨ext year, I just wanted to have the door open in case I stop rallying. But I decided to continue so I close this door. In the future I think the day I retire from rallying it will be difficult to stop competing completely. I would like to coཧntinue to drive a bit in different races. I have a little experience in racing and for sure I would like to drive something just for fun. It would be nice to live off my fortune, manage my own team and to continue to be in motorsport.