Citroën Racing Team Principal Yves Matton has paid tribute to Sébastien Loeb, after the former rally driver competed in his last race for the manufacturer in Friday’s World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) finale in Qatar.
Loeb was revealed to have been dropped by the French marque ahead of the Qatar season finale, having spent the past two years racing with Citroën in the WTCC and the past 15 years competing for the brand in rallying.
Loeb had been battling with team-mate Yvan Muller for the driver’s title, but in the end could only manage third for the second consecutive season, having lost out by a single point as Muller went on to win the final race of the year.
Matton paid tribute to Loeb, who took nine World Rally Championship titles for Citroën before moving on to touring car racing.
“The whole team was terribly sad when it sunk in that this was Sébastien Loeb’s last race with us,” said Matton. “A great chapter in the history of motorsport has ended today. We will always share a lot of fond memories with Sébastien.”
Loeb said he had no regrets about failing in his objective to finish the year as runner-up, admitting that he had experienced an ‘emotional’ farewell from the team.
“I wanted to hold onto second place in the World Championship, but I knew it would be difficult and that Yvan would push hard to get the better of me,” said Loeb. “Even though there was only one point in it in the end, I have no regrets. I think I performed well today, in qualifying and in the races.
“I will always have good memories of my two years in this competition. I thank Citroën for that and for everything we have done together over the past 15 years.
“It was really emotional to be with the team for the last time today, but I’m looking to the future, and the challenges that lie ahead for me are exciting. I still have a few things I want to try before I call it a day!”