It’s official! Korean manufacturer Hyundai Motorsport, announced yesterday the signing of nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb for the next two years of World Rally Championship. They also confirmed Dani Sordo will remain with the team for his sixth consecutive season.

Loeb will take part in the inaugural race of the Championship, the Rally of Monte Carlo (January 24-27), onboard Sordo’s car. The Spaniard will make his season’s debut at the Rally of Guanajuato in  Mexico.

The most successful driver in WRC history, retired from the WRC in 2012 only to reappear in 2018 aboard a Citroën C3. At this year’s edition, he participated in the Corsica, Mexico and Spanish rallies. It was at this latest race, the Rally of Catalonia, where he sealed his ninth victory after a brilliant performance.

A great prelude to his comeback desires. After Peugeot left the World Rally Cross, Sebastien Loeb found himself without a professional contract for the first time in almost two decades. This upcoming season will also be his first outside the PSA Group, where he has raced during all of his rally years.

Loeb is currently in Liwa (Abu Dhabi) testing the Peugeot 3008DKR for the Dakar 2019, and oblivious to the mediatic storm unleashed by the news of his comeback.  Hyundai has undoubtedly taken advantage of Citröen’s financial limitations after losing their main sponsor, rendering them unable to sign the French driver for their team.

Consequences from Loeb’s signing

The signing of Sebastien Loeb gives extra uncertainty to the driver’s market and it is highly likely that it puts other driver’s options in jeopardy. The seats of drivers Dani Sordo, Andreas Mikkelsen and Thierry Neuville, are secured. However, Hayden Paddon has left the team after only being offered a Rally in 2019. 

Other hand, the Alsacian will participate in the Dakar 2019, which he is registered to do on board a private Peugeot 3008 DKR. The legendary rally finishes on the 17th of January, just one week before the start of the WRC in Monte Carlo.

Another point at issue is Loeb’s signing for the World RallyCross project. Will ‘Seb‘ be at the wheel of the i20 GRX from old rival and two-times category winner, Marcus Gronholm? Whatever happens, one thing is undeniable: Sebastien Loeb has been one of Peugeot’s greatest assets until the end.

Main image: Hyundai Motorsport

Text image: Citroën Racing