Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena have come out unharmed after crashing during a Swedish Rally testing session. Their team, Hyundai Motorsport confirmed the event, which took place on last Thursday on the north of the Scandinavian country.

According to the same source, the incident occurred during one of the last rounds of the day when the Hyundai I20 Coupe WRC of the French couple collided against a snow bank.

The vehicle rolled over several times as a result of the impact suffering extensive damage. Fortunately, its occupants sustained no injuries from the crash.

The accident, however, doesn’t seem to have set Sebastien Loeb and Elena back on their training progress, as they had already gathered all the data they needed during the day on Scandinavian snow.

The Swedish Rally and second race of the WRC will take place from the 14th to the 17th of February. This is the only winter race of the WRC 2019 calendar, and one of the six races in which the French couple is taking part.

Hyundai is bringing to Sweeden the same lineup it brought to Monte Carlo; Thierry Neuville, Andreas Mikkelsen and Sebastien Loeb himself. Loeb has only won in Sweeden in 2004 although he has come in second in four occasions.

Team mechanics worked through the night to have the car ready for Friday’s testing sessions, which went just as planned. Andreas Mikkelsen was driving the Korean missile yesterday as if nothing had happened.

An intense agenda 

The day before the accident, Sebastien Loeb was at the opening ceremony of the WRC Hall of Fame, which is honouring all of the champions of the speciality, including the Alsatian pilot himself. Elena was not able to attend the event because of his training commitments. 

The last time that Loeb and Elena competed in the Swedish Rally, and in the snow for that matter, was six years ago in 2013. It makes sense that they would want to spend enough time familiarising themselves which such a demanding environment.

The 44-year-old’s agenda has been packed since the beginning of the year. He started 2019 with the Dakar Rally, from January the 6th to the 17th, in which he finished third, a position that left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

Less than 48 hours after the end of the Dakar he was trying his new car in the Alps. A week after that, on January the 24th he took part in the Rally of Monte Carlo 2019, in which he finished fourth.

 Sebastien Loeb crash images: YouTube & Twitter Aurebel.