Loeb in Dakar Rally return with Prodrive for 2021
Nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb will return to the Dakar Rally in 2021 after signing a deal with the Prodrive-run Bahrain Raid Xtreme team
Loeb will be a part of BRX's two car line-up in the top-tier T1 category alongside 2014 winner Nani Roma, whose appointment was confirmed by the squad in September last year.
Loeb contested the Dakar as a factory Peugeot driver between 2016-18, securing a best finish of second during that three-year stint, before entering the rally as a privateer in 2019 following the French manufacturer's withdrawal from the rally raid.
The Frenchman, who remains the most successful driver in the WRC, missed the 2020 edition of the Dakar, the first to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Loeb recently concluded his partial 2020 WRC campaign with Hyundai, which was cut to just two events in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Dani Sordo and Craig Breen will share Hyundai's third i20 WRC during the final two rounds of the 2020 season in Italy and Belgium, with Breen's Rally Ypres outing announced earlier on Thursday.
"BRX have got big ambitions for the 2021 Dakar Rally and I'm excited to be a part of the journey with the team," Loeb said.
"There is an immense amount of experience in each area of the team; the best in the field with Prodrive, a track record of success from David Richards, and Bahrain's rich history in motorsport.
"This combination is hard to rival, and I'm confident we will take to the dunes as strong contenders in next year's Dakar."
The BRX team is a joint venture between the Kingdom of Bahrain and British engineering firm Prodrive, which is best known for claiming three consecutive manufacturers' titles between 1995-97 when it ran Subaru's works WRC project.
Prodrive has been developing BRX's Dakar entrant since 2019 and the car will be powered by a bespoke 3.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with Nani carrying out the test work for the outfit.
"On behalf of BRX, I am thrilled to welcome Sebastien to the team, BRX Team Director, David Richards said.
"He brings with him a wealth of Rally experience and is, we believe, one of the strongest drivers in the field. We look forward to working closely together over the next few months of testing, as we build towards next year's race."
Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge
X-raid Mini team retains Sainz and Peterhansel for 2021 Dakar Rally
Alpine to reveal its 2024 LMDh contender at Le Mans
Alpine to reveal its 2024 LMDh contender at Le Mans Alpine to reveal its 2024 LMDh contender at Le Mans
DTM champion van der Linde was "jinxed" in season opener
DTM champion van der Linde was "jinxed" in season opener DTM champion van der Linde was "jinxed" in season opener
Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence
Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence
How a WRC legend is still making people sit up and take notice
How a WRC legend is still making people sit up and take notice How a WRC legend is still making people sit up and take notice
Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team
Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team Loeb won't defend Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton's X44 team
Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start
Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start Why Loeb v Ogier duel gave the WRC's new hybrid era the ideal start
How overlooked Mazda produced one of Le Mans' greatest shocks
How overlooked Mazda produced one of Le Mans' greatest shocks How overlooked Mazda produced one of Le Mans' greatest shocks
Video: 2 Seas Mercedes sails to British GT victory at Donington
Video: 2 Seas Mercedes sails to British GT victory at Donington Video: 2 Seas Mercedes sails to British GT victory at Donington
Why McLaren’s shock tech signing points to a new F1 approach
Why McLaren’s shock tech signing points to a new F1 approach Why McLaren’s shock tech signing points to a new F1 approach
WRC Rally Sardinia: Everything you need to know
WRC Rally Sardinia: Everything you need to know WRC Rally Sardinia: Everything you need to know
The positive future implications of Audi's creditable Dakar debut
The positive future implications of Audi's creditable Dakar debut The positive future implications of Audi's creditable Dakar debut
How Prodrive plans to use trial by Dakar to spur it to victory
How Prodrive plans to use trial by Dakar to spur it to victory How Prodrive plans to use trial by Dakar to spur it to victory
Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar
Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar
Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge
Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge
Why Alonso is already exceeding expectations in Dakar bid
Why Alonso is already exceeding expectations in Dakar bid Why Alonso is already exceeding expectations in Dakar bid
What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet
What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet
Why Alonso must heed Loeb's Dakar failures
Why Alonso must heed Loeb's Dakar failures Why Alonso must heed Loeb's Dakar failures
Why Loeb cannot be allowed to give up on Dakar
Why Loeb cannot be allowed to give up on Dakar Why Loeb cannot be allowed to give up on Dakar
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.