Sébastien Loeb returns to Extreme E for Island-X Prix

ABT Cupra’s Sébastien Loeb will make his return to Extreme E next weekend for the Island X-Prix in Sardinia.

The nine-time world rally champion, and winner of Season 2 alongside Cristina Gutiérrez at Sir Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing, will deputise for Nasser Al-Attiyah for both races on the Italian island. Al Attiyah is competing in the Baja World Cup on the same weekend.

Loeb will partner Klara Andersson at ABT CUPRA XE, who will look to kickstart their championship challenge in Sardinia with the team currently ninth in the standings.

The Frenchman is a multiple winner in Extreme E with two X Prix victories, as well as six podiums and six top qualifier finishes. After two years with X44 Vida Carbon Racing, Loeb now returns to the series in the CUPRA Tavascan XE.

Sébastien Loeb, ABT CUPRA XE, said: “I’m looking forward to returning to Extreme E after two seasons in the past. It’s a competition that’s similar to Rallycross, so I think I’ll be on the pace and ready to fight. It’s also going to be great to discover a new team and meet up with Klara [Andersson] again.”

Thomas Biermaier, ABT CEO and Team Principal, said: “Nasser leads the FIA Baja World Cup with two wins and has asked to be allowed to contest the third round on the same weekend – we want to make that possible for him.

“We are happy that together with CUPRA we managed to sign Seb as a great stand-in. Having the record world champion and reigning Extreme E champion on our team is an honour.

“We are all looking forward to the weekend in Sardinia. We want to have a lot of fun together, but also be successful from a sporting perspective – the goal is clearly a win.”