Loeb to race new all-electric Lancia Delta in World RX
Rally legend Sebastien Loeb will drive an all-new electric powered Lancia Delta in the 2023 World Rallycross Championship.
The nine-time world rally champion will join Guerlain Chicherit to form the new Special ONE Racing team, which intends to field two Delta Evo-e cars in this year’s all-electric World Rallycross Championship.
The car has been designed and developed by Chicherit’s own GCK Motorsport team, which first revealed plans in 2021 to revive the iconic Lancia Delta that made a name for itself in the World Rally Championship during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The car, powered by two 250kW motors, made its debut at the Nurburgring last year.
The news sees Loeb return to World RX having previously contested full seasons in the championship from 2016-2018, driving a factory-backed Peugeot 208 WRX. In that period the Frenchman twice finished fourth in the championship and scored two outright wins at Latvia (2016) and Belgium (2018).
Loeb is set to contest the 2023 championship in parallel to his rally and rally raid commitments. The 49-year-old is currently competing in the World Rally Raid Championship for the Prodrive-run Bahrain Raid Xtreme squad but is yet to secure a part-time drive in this year’s World Rally Championship.
“I'm from a generation that was brought up seeing wins by Lancia Deltas in rally racing. So I naturally have a weakness for this car,” said Loeb.
"But when Guerlain spoke to me the first time about tackling a rallycross, I thought he was mad! Then I tried the car in December 2022 and I was immediately won over by its dynamic qualities. I have great faith in this project and I can't wait to champion it on tracks around the world."
Sebastien Loeb, Lancia Delta Special ONE Racing team
Photo by: Special One Racing
Chicherit added: “It's a dream of mine to be able to align two cars of my own brand with the World RX, one of which is entrusted to a sports legend. The scene is set to see Special ONE Racing become a top-notch team.
“From this season, we'll have the opportunity to make history, becoming the first to have a retrofitted car win a World Championship race. Let's get going.”
The championship’s first of nine rounds begins at Montalegre, Portugal from 3-4 June.
WRC Sardinia: Lappi pips Tanak to lead after super special opener
WRC Sardinia: Lappi pips Tanak to lead after super special opener WRC Sardinia: Lappi pips Tanak to lead after super special opener
WRC drivers set for extreme 'Safari Rally' conditions in Sardinia
WRC drivers set for extreme 'Safari Rally' conditions in Sardinia WRC drivers set for extreme 'Safari Rally' conditions in Sardinia
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
New Detroit track “more like Long Beach than Belle Isle”, says Ferrucci
New Detroit track “more like Long Beach than Belle Isle”, says Ferrucci New Detroit track “more like Long Beach than Belle Isle”, says Ferrucci
WRC Sardinia: Lappi pips Tanak to lead after super special opener
WRC Sardinia: Lappi pips Tanak to lead after super special opener WRC Sardinia: Lappi pips Tanak to lead after super special opener
Ferrari’s new Red Bull-style F1 sidepods revealed in Spain
Ferrari’s new Red Bull-style F1 sidepods revealed in Spain Ferrari’s new Red Bull-style F1 sidepods revealed in Spain
Why Mercedes' long-awaited F1 upgrades are not the improvement Hamilton "dreamed of"
Why Mercedes' long-awaited F1 upgrades are not the improvement Hamilton "dreamed of" Why Mercedes' long-awaited F1 upgrades are not the improvement Hamilton "dreamed of"
From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10
From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10 From Lebanon to cross-category world titles - a rally legend's top 10
How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX
How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX How to make an F1 venue fit for World RX
Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely
Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely Volkswagen hasn't disappeared completely
Why rallycross is becoming irresistible
Why rallycross is becoming irresistible Why rallycross is becoming irresistible
How good is World Rallycross?
How good is World Rallycross? How good is World Rallycross?
New rallycross golden age comes to Britain
New rallycross golden age comes to Britain New rallycross golden age comes to Britain
Solberg: why rallycross is my future
Solberg: why rallycross is my future Solberg: why rallycross is my future
Solberg: back to school
Solberg: back to school Solberg: back to school
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.