“I think I can still be competitive”: That’s what record world champion Sebastien Loeb says before his return to the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The nine-time WRC champion will drive a fourth Ford Puma Rally1 for M-Sport at the Monte-Carlo Rally (January 20-23).
“Monte Carlo is perhaps not the easiest event to start with a team, as the conditions can be difficult,” says Loeb, aware of the particular challenge of the traditional rally in the French Maritime Alps. “But I have some good memories of this rally and there is always an incredible atmosphere around the rally.”
Loeb last competed in Turkey for Hyundai in the WRC in 2020. He then concentrated on his program at the Dakar Rally and this year competed for Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team in the Extreme E electric SUV racing series, where he narrowly won the title with his partner Cristina Gutierrez last weekend missed.
But now Loeb is returning to the WRC and thus to his true love. “I love what I do. I always like to drive, but when I drive a WRC rally it’s just a great feeling,” says the Frenchman. “It’s something I really enjoy.
Test driving “a pleasure” for Sebastien Loeb
The test drives with M-Sport in Spain and France were also a treat for Loeb, during which he was able to focus on the Ford Puma Rally1 with hybrid system. “It was a pleasure to discover the new technology in the Puma Rally1 car. I think it’s pretty similar to the 2017 cars, but with an additional hybrid system,” says Loeb of his new sports equipment.
“That makes it a bit more challenging to use and it’s exciting to have something new in the car. When I tested the car, I was really impressed with how well it is balanced and how powerful it is with the hybrid system, I really enjoyed it “, Loeb continues.
So far, the 79-time M-Sport WRC winner has only been registered for the Monte-Carlo Rally. However, neither the team nor Loeb ruled out further starts.
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