Sebastien Loeb’s one-off from retirement is now set to become a two-off.
After retiring from motorsports earlier this year due to an injury to co-driver Daniel Elena, Loeb came back for a one-off in the Spanish World Rally last weekend and has now decided to give the Dakar Rally another shot in January as a Red Bull privateer.
He will pilot a Peugeot 3008DKR with Elena serving as navigator. The car is similar to the one he finished runner-up in during the 2017 Dakar Rally. The team will be run by PH Sport with Loeb seeking the first privateer win since Jean-Louis Schlesser in 2000.
The 41st Dakar Rally in Peru takes place solely in one country for the first time from Jan. 6-17 with around 5,000 kilometres over 10 stages awaiting the world’s best off-roaders, leaving Loeb little time for testing.
The 44-year-old also has Silk Way Rally and Rallye du Maroc experience.
"Throughout my career I’ve always been considered to be a favorite," Loeb said. "While I’m obviously motivated by winning, having fun is important too, so taking part in the 2019 Dakar with Daniel, as private outsiders, is a fantastic challenge. I’m ready to give it a go: a little bit like my three WRC appearances this year, where success was far from being guaranteed."
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