LE MANS: Loeb Close To Peugeot Drive

Le Mans / ALMS

LE MANS: Loeb Close To Peugeot Drive

Six-time WRC champion eyes return to Le Mans in a Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP.

John Dagys | Posted December 02, 2009 Chicago, IL

Loeb could be behind the wheel of a Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP next June. (LAT)

World Rally star Sebastien Loeb is poised to make a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year, piloting a factory Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP. The six-time WRC champion took part in a Peugeot Sport test at the Motorland circuit in Aragon, Spain last week, joining team regulars Sebastien Bourdais, Marc Gene, Franck Montagny and Alexander Wurz behind the wheel of the diesel-powered LMP1 coupe.

The Frenchman’s main priority for next year will again be his Citroen WRC program, which is also managed by Peugeot Sport boss Olivier Quesnel. But with no rally on the June 12-13 weekend, Loeb is likely to be given the all-clear to again compete at Le Mans.

Loeb has made two previous starts at Circuit de la Sarthe, finishing second overall in a Pescarolo Judd in 2006. He was initially lining up a return to Le Mans last year with Peugeot, but a conflicting rally event dashed those plans.

While a final decision on Loeb’s participation won’t come until February, he will continue taking part in the team’s simulation tests for the twice-around-the-clock June classic.

In other Peugeot driver-related news, Christian Klien has not yet signed with the French squad for 2010, as the 26-year-old is focusing his efforts on securing a seat in Formula One. It’s the exact opposite for Wurz, who has pulled out of the running for a seat with the USF1 team. The Austrian will be looking to defend his Le Mans crown from 2009.

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