Loeb thrilled by Renault F1 test

World Rally Championship star Sebastien Loeb had his first taste of Formula 1 performance at Paul Ricard today, when he swapped cars with Renault's Heikki Kovalainen for a Total-Elf promotional event.

Fresh from clinching his fourth consecutive WRC title on the Rally GB last weekend, Loeb revelled in Renault's championship-winning 2006 car.

"Today has been a fantastic experience; if I'm honest, it's a little bit like Christmas come early!" he said.

"I have just become a father for the first time, I won my fourth world title last weekend, and now a dream has come true: driving a Formula 1 car for the first time."

Although Loeb has circuit racing experience from contesting the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Renault test was a huge step into the unknown for the WRC legend.

"I was very impressed with the grip generated by the aerodynamics, which is radically different from what we are used to in rallying," he said.

"I already knew Paul Ricard well from my testing before Le Mans last year, so it meant I could really make the most of today's opportunity.

"It was a truly exceptional day."

Loeb's Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo was also given the chance to try the Renault R26, while Kovalainen sampled the WRC Citroen C4, with Loeb as his co-driver.

"This was a wonderful day, and I had a great time driving Sebastien's car," said Kovalainen.

"I had previously been in this type of car as a co-driver, but this was miles better!

"I felt quite comfortable, even though the sensations are extremely different to what you feel in an F1 car.

"I talked a lot with Sebastien and Dani, and it was interesting to see how they controlled the car in the slow and high-speed corners, and learn from it.

"In return, I was able to give them some advice about the R26, and I hope they both enjoyed the experience."

Source: itv-f1