Loeb enjoys run-out

Just three days after winning a record-equalling fourth straight world rally title, the 33-year-old Frenchman was at the wheel of a Renault at the Paul Ricard circuit near Marseille.

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

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

"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."

Although no times were officially released by the team, Loeb is believed to have lapped the circuit in 1:05.547, five hundredths of a second faster than regular driver Heikki Kovalainen managed 24 hours previously.

Loeb's Citroen WRC team-mate Dani Sordo also got to drive the Renault while Finn Kovalainen tried out their C4 rally machine for good measure.

"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."