Sebastien Loeb to Test GP2 Car for David Price Racing

The rumors about Sebastien Loeb making his Formula One debut later this year are once again making the headlines of French publications. Although the reigning WRC champion is preparing for one of the toughest events in his career – in Catalunya, where the pressure to succeed will be far bigger this year as compared to 2008 – it appears the Frenchman has agreed to a GP2 test after Rally Catalonia.

As in-season testing is banned in Formula One, this would be Loeb's first chance to drive a close-to-F1 machinery prior to his projected debut in the series. According to French newspaper Le Parisien, the Citroen Total driver will apparently test a David Price Racing prepared car following this weekend's action in Spain.

The 35-year old Frenchman is allegedly preparing for his debut in Formula One, during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This would be the first time the Great Circle will visit the United Arab Emirates, which will mark another premiere in the series. Loeb's one off would be sustained by Scuderia Toro Rosso, whose title sponsor is also backing Citroen Total WRC team.

“If someone makes a proposal (for Abu Dhabi) to Sebastien, Citroen Racing will authorize him (to race),” Loeb's and Citroen's rally team boss Olivier Quesnel said earlier this month.

The French team is currently preparing for the Catalonian event in the WRC, the penultimate round of the season. With 2 rounds to go, Loeb is 5 points behind championship leader Mikko Hirvonen in the overall classification and needs the support of his teammate in order to make up for that point difference by the end of Rally Wales.

As far as Toro Rosso goes, the Faenza based team could easily make room for Loeb in their Abu Dhabi lineup, considering that Jaime Alguersuari is racing on a provisional deal for the remainder of the 2009 season.