Photo: Peugeot

Sébastien Loeb to make Dakar Rally debut with Peugeot

Sébastien Loeb is going to make his Dakar Rally debut in January next year with Peugeot.

“I only discovered motorsports when I was 18 and I started competing in my first rallies. Since then I have been interested in all types of different motor sports and Dakar is one of them. I think it’s a great challenge to go and compete there and drive in the desert,” said Loeb.

The nine-time WRC champion and current Citroën FIA World Touring Car Championship driver is going to drive a Peugeot 2008 DKR, a car Loeb tested earlier this year, in the rally alongside Carlos Sainz.

“When I tried the PEUGEOT 2008DKR out in June, it was immediately very impressive for me – and of course it has changed a lot since then. What struck me most of all is how the Dakar car was a completely new experience: in the WRC I have been used to going round obstacles but with this car you can just drive straight over them, and it takes some time to have the confidence to believe it!” said Loeb.

The 2016 Dakar Rally starts in January and runs over 13 days in Argentina and Bolivia. Loeb will take part in Rallye du Maroc next week in preparation for the rally.

“Dakar is something that appeals to me; it is a huge adventure. The rally in Morocco will give me a very interesting idea of what Cross Country is all about, so this is a fantastic opportunity for me to learn; particularly alongside such successful team mates,” said Loeb.