Sebastian Loeb to race in 2016 WRX season for Team Hansen

Sebastian Loeb has ben announced as the final driver for Team Hansen’s 2016 World Rallycross Championship campaign.

Nine-time World Rally Champion and 2016 Dakar Rally debutant, Sebastian Loeb will race for Team Peugoet Hansen in the FIA World Rallyceoss (WRX) Championship for the whole 2016 season.

The 42 year old legendary French driver will team up with Timmy Hansen in the 550hp Peugeot 208 WRX Supercar contesting the full season of the championship with the inaugural round at Montelegre, Portugal on April 15 all the way to Rosario, Argentina on November 27.

Sebastien Loeb and Timmy Hansen perform during the Rallycross on Ice project in Are, Sweden[/caption]

“I’m very excited by this opportunity to participate in the full Rallycross Championship for the first time,” said Loeb.

“Over the years I have been fortunate to participate in some truly amazing racing, but rallycross – with the sheer power and the competiveness of the Peugeot 208 WRX, plus the intense nature of the competition – will be something very special. The car and the strategy for this type of racing is completely new to me, so I have a lot to learn, but I hope I can be competitive pretty soon.”

Loeb will compete as a rookie compared to his much younger team mate Timmy Hansen who has achieved accolades the first two years in the sport. However, Loeb has won the Rallycross Gold medal at the 2012 X-Games in California and also took part at the home round at Loheac, France in 2013.

(L-R) Kevin Hansen, Davy Jeaney, Timmy Hansen and Sebastian Loeb[/caption]

“By adding Loeb to the equation, we will be even stronger. Rallycross is one of the hardest disciplines to dominate, with no room for mistakes. Loeb has incredible capacity to adapt and I have no doubt that he will be a strong challenger.” Said team principal Kenneth Hansen

Timmy Hansen commented: “I’ve looked up to Sebastien Loeb throughout my entire life: I even met him once to get his autograph. So to work with him now is like a dream come true for me.

What will now be interesting to watch for all veteran rally fans, is the rebirth of the rivalry between Sebastian Loeb and former 2003 WRC champion and reigning undisputed WRX champion Petter Solberg.

Before the start of the season, Sebastien and Timmy were put to the test in Hansen’s home country, over a challenging ice track on a frozen lake in Are, Sweden.