Sébastien Loeb returns to Extreme E for Island X Prix
June 30, 2023
Off Road Racer Staff
Sébastien Loeb will compete in the Island X Prix for ABT CUPRA XE, as Extreme E welcomes back one of its champions for Rounds 5 and 6 of Season 3 in Italy, co-organised and coordinated by the Automobile Club d'Italia and Regione Sardegna.
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.
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NOVEMBER 27: Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team X44, signs autographs for fans during the Punta del Este on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)[/caption]
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.
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NOVEMBER 27: Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team X44, and Cristina Gutierrez (ESP), Team X44, celebrate winning the team championship, as well as finishing 3rd in the race during the Punta del Este on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Sam Bagnall / LAT Images)[/caption]
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.”
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FEBRUARY 20: Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team X44 during the Saudi Arabia on February 20, 2022. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)[/caption]
You can watch Loeb’s return to Extreme E alongside Andersson at the Island X Prix in Sardinia on 8-9 July. The racing action can be viewed on ITV in the UK across the weekend. Outside of the UK, please visit here for broadcaster details.
NOVEMBER 27: Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team X44, signs autographs for fans during the Punta del Este on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)[/caption]
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.
[caption id="attachment_398026" align="aligncenter" width="863"] NOVEMBER 27: Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team X44, and Cristina Gutierrez (ESP), Team X44, celebrate winning the team championship, as well as finishing 3rd in the race during the Punta del Este on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Sam Bagnall / LAT Images)[/caption]
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.”
[caption id="attachment_398025" align="aligncenter" width="864"] FEBRUARY 20: Sebastien Loeb (FRA), Team X44 during the Saudi Arabia on February 20, 2022. (Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)[/caption]
You can watch Loeb’s return to Extreme E alongside Andersson at the Island X Prix in Sardinia on 8-9 July. The racing action can be viewed on ITV in the UK across the weekend. Outside of the UK, please visit here for broadcaster details.