Making the most of his opportunity, Loeb delivered several competitive laps, and even helped the team with development work for the 2009 season. The testing circuit was busy that day, with all teams, but Toyota, conducting tests. After a 100 km shakedown at Silverstone, Loeb immediately got into the groove when the session began. With dry conditions aiding him, Loeb managed to push his machine to its limits, something which was harder in the wet conditions at Silverstone.
Just two seconds less than the fastest time, set by Takuma Sato of Scuderia Toro Rosso, Loeb completed 82 laps, with the sixth fastest time in one. Since most teams experimented with 2008 and 2009 tyre varieties, a comparison with other drivers was difficult.
Talking about the experience, Loeb said, “It was a very exciting experience and a big pleasure to have the opportunity to drive here. To start with I just tried to understand quickly how it all worked and then tried to improve. Later on I tried to change the settings a little - but maybe not in the right way because the times were not improving and even I felt I could go a bit faster. But I felt in some places I wasn’t far from what I should be capable of with the car. I think the most impressive thing was the brakes. You have to heat then strongly but it’s incredible how late you can brake. I tried in some places to brake later and later but I still wasn’t on the limit - it’s really impressive.”
Further, talking about the competitive experience, brought about by the car-to-car combat environment, which is missing from most WRC events, Loeb remarked, “Today was not like a race so when I saw someone faster in my mirrors I pulled over to the opposite side of the track. Anyway, I think you learn more when you’re driving alone and then speak to the engineers and look at the data. But I did overtake. I followed one car for quite a while, I was closing and he stopped to let me past, so that was okay, but for sure at these speeds it must be something special to fight on a track.”
A senior source revealed that Loeb truly excelled on the track, saying “We were really, really impressed. Seb came in and has not put a foot wrong in conditions which haven’t always been easy. Not only has he set good times today but he has the right attitude too. He’s showed a lot of professionalism. We were expecting to be pleasantly surprised and we weren’t disappointed.”