LOEB GETS TWO DAYS IN AN I20 BEFORE MONTE
New hyundai signing will get just one test before wrc season begins
and Dani [Sordo]. The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC is a proven rally winner, and, as a crew, we know we can still be up there with the best, so 2019 promises to be an exciting season.”
Loeb’s late arrival into round one is far from ideal, but his pedigree as a seven-time Monte winner meant Hyundai was keen to have him in the car and pushing for a first WRC win by a South Korean marque on the series’ blue riband event.
Loeb hasn’t driven the i20 in any kind of shakedown and his first mileage in the car will come in the Alps at the pre-event test.
Hyundai team manager Alain Penasse told MN he has no concerns about Loeb’s last-minute arrival into Monte Carlo.
“There is no other solution, he has to test the weekend before the event,” said Penasse. “This will make it a very interesting test, I think. He hasn’t driven the car yet, but he knows what it’s about – he saw what the car was capable of in Spain, he knew how hard he had to go [to beat Hyundai driver Neuville]. He has so much experience of this event, he’s won it a hell of a lot of times and he’s always been competitive there. His lack of time in the car won’t be a problem.
“And don’t forget, the Monte is a very specific event with very little testing available. We saw in Mexico this year, when he had been away for a while, he was able to come back and be on the pace. He will give away some advantage to some other drivers who have had more time in their cars and more experience, but I think he will be fine.”
Penasse added that Loeb’s arrival would come as a boost to the team as it went in search of its first title. Hyundai returned to the WRC in 2014 and progressed well in the first three years, finishing fourth, third and second in 2014, ’15 and ’16 respectively. Since then, however, the team has stalled and this year was its third consecutive runners-up spot.
Understandably, there has been mounting pressure both from within Hyundai Motorsport and from Hyundai Motor Corporation in Seoul. The hope is that Loeb’s arrival will be enough to help seal a first title in 2019.
Penasse continued: “Sebastien coming to the team, his experience, his confidence and his competitiveness, this will help everybody. He adds value to the team and he has a real aura around him and this will help the people around him next year. We have been close to winning the championship, this year we were still in the fight in the final morning of the season.”
Hyundai team principal Michel Nandan said Loeb’s decision to join the team reflected its standing in the world of rallying.
“Sebastien’s announcement is hugely important for Hyundai Motorsport,” said Nandan. “Sealing a deal with someone of his immense talent and calibre shows that we are an attractive and competitive proposition in the World Rally Championship. Ultimately, our goal is to win the WRC title. We believe we have the package to achieve that, and our composition of crews for 2019 will perfectly reflect that ambition.”
Loeb will share an i20 Coupe WRC with Sordo – the Spaniard’s programme is raised from seven to eight rallies in 2019 – while Neuville and Mikkelsen tackle all 14 rounds.
Loeb’s arrival means Hayden Paddon is left out of Hyundai’s 2019 plans ( see page 10).