Sebastien Loeb to contest 2016 Cross-Country Rally World Cup with Peugeot

Sebastien Loeb will contest the 2016 Cross-Country Rally World Cup season with Peugeot’s factory team, calling time on his World Touring Car Championship programme.

Loeb, who currently sits second in the World Touring Car Championship with Citroen, will make his first appearance with Peugeot at January’s Dakar Rally before the full Cross-Country Rally World Cup season kicks off, leaving the WTCC after just two years in the championship.

“This is an opportunity for me to continue my career in what is a new discipline to me, ” said Loeb, who famously smashed the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record with Peugeot in 2013. “I will need time to learn and that’s what I have been doing during recent testing and on last month’s Rallye du Maroc. I am delighted to be able to build on my experience with Groupe PSA which has brought me nine World Rally Championship titles and several World Touring Car Championship victories with Citroën, as well as adventures like Pikes Peak two years ago with Peugeot. There are still a lot of exciting new challenges out there.”

The Dakar Rally will be Loeb’s second cross-country event, having contested the 2015 Rallye du Maroc in October, where he was joined by long-time co-driver Daniel Elena. Elena will also serve as co-driver for Loeb at the South American event.

“I am delighted that Sébastien Loeb is to join us at Peugeot Sport, ” added Managing Director for Peugeot, Maxime Picat. “The combination of his all-round driving skills and the talent of the teams at Peugeot Sport promises some exciting times ahead for the brand in the world of motorsport. In addition to his ability behind the wheel, Sébastien stands for values to which motorsport and motoring enthusiasts across the globe can relate. I am certain he will have even more to share with them with Peugeot.”