Original article by BlogF1.

Sebastien Loeb’s Red Bull Test

Rossi does have a two year run left on his Yamaha contract, but the Ferrari team remain good friends with the MotoGP legend and Rossi feels it is good for Italians to see him tear up a racing circuit in a red car.

We are happy to give Valentino once again the opportunity to test our Formula One car. He’s a friend of Ferrari, we are friends of his and it’s a nice way to celebrate his world championship and fantastic career. Ferrari Spokesperson.

However there’s no other ambition, because I signed a contract for two more years for Yamaha. It will just be for passion and I think Valentino Rossi with Ferrari is fun for Italy. Valentino Rossi.

Also testing a Formula One car this off-season will be rally champion Sebastien Loeb (pictured). Sebastien made his debut in a Formula One car last year when he swapped his Citroen for a Renault R27. Loeb’s test will take place at Circuit de Catalunya in November, and this time it will be with Renault-powered Red Bull Racing. Just don’t forget to shave and brush your hair Sebastien!

Original article by BlogF1.

Sebastien Loeb & Valentino Rossi Get Formula One Tests

After I posted my thoughts on the story on BlogF1 (which contains more information on the possible reasonings for the bizarre story in the comments), many of you readers shared my utter disbelief that this could even happen, prompting a few of you to give up shaving until after the Turkish Grand Prix in protest to the absurdity of the situation. And now, the man himself has come forward to speak on his personal hygiene habits.

I shave on a Thursday once a week. That’s always the same: a shave before shakedown. It’s not a superstitious thing, it’s just when I shave. Tomorrow you will see I have a little bit more hair on my face and the next day it will grow a bit more. That’s it. Sebastien Loeb.

And hopefully, that will be it and the FIA can go back to stirring the F1 pot.

Image © DPPI.

Original article by BlogF1.

A Shave Before Shakedown

Surinder Thatthi, chairman of CACMS, and Morrie Chandler, president of the WRC have spoken to one another about the scruffy appearance of Loeb, particularly when the television cameras focus on him, which I’m sure you can imagine, is quite a lot.

I watched the WRC Mexico highlights last night and I have to voice my opinion on the poor appearance of Sebastien Loeb on WRC-TV. He was unshaven, scruffy looking and with unkempt hair!!

It is wrong…..when the FIA gives him global TV coverage to millions of viewers and to many children worldwide he is a hero and role model [...] I know there is a level of personal freedom one is allowed but I feel he is taking this too far and someone should talk to him or his team about this. Surinder Thatthi.

Chandler responded with the following.

Yes I watched the same as you did [...] Unfortunately it is not a problem that is unique to our sport as the same happens in football and other “male” sports.

Of course these persons are an insult to real males. My only solution is that we suggest to [rallying rights holders] ISC that the camera does not cover them close up. Morrie Chandler.

Chandler’s response was also sent to Simon Long, the ISC managing director, who took a lighter view of the situation.

I do feel that it is precisely Sebastien’s “ruggedly good-looking” appearance which has helped endear him to so many new and young fans both in France and around the world. Simon Long.

Autosport are reporting that it was news agency Reuters that saw the emails and have since published them. But isn’t this just a load of utter nonsense? I remember Jacques Villeneuve turning up to racing circuits looking like a teenager, baggy t-shirts and jeans to boot. The 1997 world champion would often dye his hair, and in fact it was bleached the very day he won his title. Johnny Herbert would also occasionally forget to stand close to his razor on the morning of a race, and I don’t think Nick Heidfeld even bothers anymore. Oh, and please let us not forget Fernando Alonso’s facial hair in 2006. While his little beard was neat and trim, it was also quite funny.

So what next? Are the FIA going to ban close-ups of Nick Heidfeld. Maybe they could photoshop images of Villeneuve so history will show a more smart appearance of previous racers? Maybe they could buy David Coulthard a multi-pack of Gillette blades and wag their finger at him until it fell off? The finger, that is.

Honestly, do me a favour FIA, shut up. I honestly didn’t think the actions of the governing body of the WRC or Formula One could get any more ridiculous. I’m afraid to say they just have. Shouldn’t the FIA be focusing on other things right now…?

Original article by BlogF1.

Villeneuve Was Lucky, But Heidfeld Should Be Worried