The WRC is ready to open the season 2022 with a big news: on the occasion of the first stop on the calendar with the Monte Carlo Rally, the most successful driver in the history of the category, Sebastien Loeb, will return to challenge the time trial for the first time since his last participation in the 2020 Rally of Turkey. For the occasion, the Frenchman will be at the wheel of the team’s new Ford Puma WRC Rally1 hybrid M-Sport, thus rekindling the rivalry with his compatriot Sebastien Ogier. The latter, who will challenge time with the Toyota GR Yaris WRC Rally1, will try to defend the record of victories obtained in the most glamorous tests of the championship. Ogier, in fact, holds the record with eight statements, against Loeb’s sects.
The nine times world champion, who won all his world championships consecutively between 2004 and 2012, will try to make life more difficult for Ogier himself, the new 2021 champion and still with eight career titles: “It was a pleasure to discover the new technology found in the Puma Rally1 cars – commented Loeb – I think it’s quite similar to 2017 cars, but with the addition of a hybrid system. This makes up the whole a little more challenging to use, but it’s exciting to have something new to handle in the car. When I tested the car I was really impressed with how well balanced it is and how powerful it is with the hybrid. I liked it very much ”.
M-Sport is thrilled to announce that @AdrienFourmaux 🇫🇷 and @SebastienLoeb 🇫🇷 will join @Craig_Breen__ 🇮🇪 and @GreensmithGus 🇬🇧 in Monte Carlo 🇲🇨, in a fleet of all-new Ford Puma 🐈⬛ Hybrid 🔋 Rally1 cars. #MSPORTERS #Ford #FordRally #FordPerformance #Rally # Rally1 #WRC
– M-Sport (@MSportLtd) December 21, 2021
The appointment with the Principality will arrive immediately after Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where Loeb will participate in the event with the Bahrain Raid Xtreme team in the Prodrive class: “I think I can still be competitive – commented – sure, Monte-Carlo is perhaps not the easiest event to start with as a team, as there can be some tough conditions. I have some fond memories of this rally and there is always an incredible atmosphere. It’s great to work with M-Sport, it’s a very professional team that knows how to build good cars, and I’m happy to be able to work with them “. Unlike his most recent WRC appearances, Loeb will not have co-driver Daniel Elena, recently retired, at his side. Then there will be in its place Isabelle Galmiche.
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