Eight-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb will compete in only a few races next season as he prepares to move toward a new career with Citroen in World Touring Cars.
The Frenchman, who is closing in on a ninth consecutive world rally title with Citroen, plans to pick and choose his races next season as a move to racing competitively in WTCC becomes more of a priority.
"For next year I've decided not to take part in the full championship and just to do a few races that I like," Loeb said. "The plan for next year, for 2013, is to do some rallies. I don't know how many. Then, for a year after, we try and prepare something with Citroen in WTCC ... 2014/15, something like that."
The 38-year-old Loeb is excited about the prospect of a different type of racing.
"I have new challenges, to go in a new discipline in WTCC," he said. "I think if you want to do something else in your life you don't have to wait until you're 50."
Loeb has a lead of 61 points over Citroen teammate Mikko Hirvonen of Finland with only three races left.
AP