After finishing second on the Dakar podium, Sebastien Loeb arrived to the French Alps after a frantic journey from Saudi Arabia to complete his preparation for the Monte Carlo Rally, the test that this Thursday kicks off a new season and a new hybrid era in the World Rally Championship. Loeb, 46, will participate in the appointment of the Principality, with the Ford Puma Rally1 of M-Sport.
The nine-time world champion returns to the WRC for the first time in over a year. The deal between the seven-time Monte Carlo winner and M-Sport to drive the world’s most famous rally had been complicated by his inclusion in the Saudi Arabian marathon event in a Prodrive BRX Hunter. But the British team granted the Frenchman permission to compete in the Principality and then they had to wait for logistics to leave Jeddah and return to Europe on time.
The Dakar ended on Friday afternoon and Loeb flew west early Saturday morning. Back in Geneva, he had time to change quickly before boarding a helicopter to cross the Alps to the M-Sport test area near Gap. “We were very pleased to see him get in the car on Sunday morning,” said M-Sport Ford team principal, Richard Miller.
“Everyone has worked hard for Séb to be here, both in terms of the deal and going from one big event to another. He is very professional, he knew what he was assuming when we first talked about coming to the Monte directly from the Dakar. “, he explained.
Now we’re ready for Monte ?
Mount ?? PET x @SebastienLoeb ? ✅ #MSPORTERS #FordPerformance #WRC #Cougar #Hybrid #Rally1 #ford #fordracing #Rally #RallyCar pic.twitter.com/sL8Ni1qWgQ— M-Sport (@MSportLtd) January 16, 2022
“Sunday’s test went very well. There were no problems and he didn’t get tired either. He was fresh and full of energy, which is great. Now we are focused on the week ahead and seeing what we can do.” Miller.
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