Sébastien Loeb at the start of the Charlemagne Golden Palace Rally in a Porsche 992 GT+

The nine-time World Rally Champion officially confirmed his participation in the seventh round of the French Rally Championship 2nd Division at the final podium of the Vosges Grand Est Rally, which he won with his partner in a Ford Fiesta WRC 2017. This time he will be driving a Porsche 992 GT+.

Present this weekend in Gerardmer as part of the Rally Vosges Grand Est, which he dominated from head to toe at the wheel of his Ford Fiesta WRC 2017, Sebastian Loeb He took advantage of his appearance on the final podium this Sunday, June 14th, to reveal more about his 2026 sporting program. The nine-time World Rally Champion confirmed his participation in the Rallye Charlemagne Golden Palace, the next event on the French Rally Championship 2nd Division calendar, organized in Hautmont (59) on July 03rd, 04th, and 5th. This will be the Alsatian driver's third participation in this rally, after winning the 2023 edition at the wheel of a Volkswagen Polo R05 GTi, and then finishing on the podium last year in his Peugeot 306 Maxi. This Monday, June 15th, the organizers of the event also officially announced the news by unveiling the car that the nine-time World Champion will drive: a Porsche 992 GT+.

Loeb already has some impressive credentials at the Charlemagne Golden Palace

Last year, a prestigious field lined up for the start of the race, including 174 modern car crews. Facing off against Mickaël Reydellet's Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 and Cédric Cherain's Porsche 992 GT+, Sébastien Loeb couldn't fight for the win but still managed to bring his Peugeot 306 Maxi home in third place, 34,7 seconds behind Cherain's second-place Porsche. Two years earlier, the battle was a thrilling one between Stéphane Lefebvre and Chris Ingram, the two men fighting tooth and nail to try and unseat the nine-time World Champion, but to no avail. This year again, numerous crews are expected to compete in this rally, which has become a national benchmark over the years. Sébastien Loeb could thus find himself facing Anthony Cosson or Jordan Berfa, both vying for the French Rally Championship 2nd Division title.

ALSO READ > Vosges Grand Est Rally: Sébastien Loeb wins, Yoann Bonato takes first place points