Hyundai Motorsport has confirmed that its agreement with nine-time FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb has reached a natural conclusion following a successful two-year co-operation. Loeb, alongside Daniel Elena, joined Hyundai Motorsport at the start of the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), and went onto secure two podiums for the team at that year’s Rally Chile and again more recently at Rally Turkey.
The pair contributed to development of the team’s technical package throughout 2019, as Hyundai Motorsport secured its maiden manufacturers’ title.
The team has been unable to make the most of Loeb’s experience during the pandemic-affected 2020 season with his planned participations at Kenya and New Zealand unable to take place. In the recent Turkish round, the crew showed they had lost none of their brilliance, by positioning themselves in contention for the rally victory throughout the event.
Hyundai Motorsport remains open to welcoming Loeb and Elena back into the fold if ever an opportunity or need presents itself. The team wishes them both well as they embark on a new challenge in Rally Raid.
Team Principal Andrea Adamo said: “Ever since Séb and Danos joined our team in 2019, we have been privileged to have their wealth of expertise and experience in our team. All areas of our operation have benefitted from their know-how, directly or indirectly. Their contribution helped us to fight for – and win – the championship last season. Their knowledge and commitment was perfectly demonstrated in the tougher rallies like Chile and Turkey. The pandemic has meant we haven’t been able to use them as we had intended this season, but their performance in Turkey was a reminder to everyone of their ever-present ability and speed. We wish them all the best in their next chapter and keep our doors wide open to them should they ever wish to return.”
Sébastien Loeb said: “Here we are at the end of the adventure with Hyundai Motorsport – and what an adventure it has been! I am extremely grateful for the opportunity they gave me 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. These two years have passed extremely quickly – this one having also been cut by several months as a result of the pandemic – but they will have marked part of my career, and with another manufacturer title success to which I contributed. For me, Hyundai Motorsport gave me the best WRC car I have ever driven, and I was glad I could 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 WRC; neither Hyundai Motorsport nor I want to completely close the book for good.”
Press release Hyundai Motorsport
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