Sébastien Loeb and Hyundai end their collaboration

Barely its commitment made with Bahrain Raid Xtreme, with mainly the Dakar 2021 in the sights, Sébastien Loeb et Hyundai Motorsport have announced the end of their collaboration in the World Rally Championship WRC.

The nine-time world rally champion, who arrived within the Korean structure in 2019, has since been on a partial program, with six races last year (including a podium in Chile), and was only able to line up in in Monte-Carlo and in Turkey in 2020, with a new podium (3rd) in Marmaris.

“I am extremely grateful to Hyundai for the opportunity offered during these two years by offering me a partial program, totally in line with my expectations, within a very professional team and in a pleasant atmosphere, believes Loeb.

These two years passed extremely quickly – this one also having been cut short by several months following the pandemic – but they will have marked part of my career, and with another manufacturer's title to which I contributed.

For me, Hyundai Motorsport gave me the best WRC car I have ever driven, and I was happy to be able to compete at the highest level with the latest generation of WRC cars. Now, a new chapter will open in 2021 with Prodrive in Rally Raid but who knows for the WRC: neither Hyundai Motorsport nor I want to completely close the book for good. »

At the expected start in New Zealand and the Safari Rally, Loeb was unable to complete his program, due to the major reshuffling of the calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic. Dani Sordo and Craig Breen have also been nominated to compete in the Sardinia and Ypres rallies alongside the incumbents Thierry Neuville et Ott Tänak.

“Since Séb and Daniel (Elena) joined our team in 2019, we have been privileged to have had their expertise and experience within our team, comments Andrea Adamo, director of Hyundai Motorsport.

All areas of our team have benefited from their know-how, directly or indirectly. Their contribution helped us fight and win the championship last season. Their knowledge and commitment were perfectly demonstrated in the most difficult rallies like Chile and Turkey.

We weren't able to give them a program like we had planned this season with the pandemic, but their performance in Turkey reminded everyone of their ability and speed. We wish them the best in the next chapter and welcome them if they ever want to return. »

Hyundai also sent a nice nod to the Franco-Monegasque tandem, with a gift that could be useful to them in a few weeks in the sand of Saudi Arabia.

#WRC Our farewell gift to @SebastienLoeb & @DanosElena as they embark on their new adventure in Rally Raid!

Thank you Seb & Danos!

Full news: https://t.co/lxVamLO5In#HMSGOfficial pic.twitter.com/7giQNePAea

— hmsgofficial (@HMSGOfficial) October 1, 2020