Loubet splits with 2C but working on WRC stay

The 24-year-old has spent three years with the team but is moving on for 2022

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Pierre-Louis Loubet has parted ways with 2C Competition but is hopeful of remaining in the World Rally Championship next season.

Loubet has driven a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC for 2C over the past two seasons and won his 2019 WRC2 (now WRC3) title driving for the team too in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo.

The 24-year-old announced on social media on Friday that his journey with 2C was at an end. Explaining that to DirtFish, he said: “We had a two-year contract and at the end of the contract we decided to not continue.

“We did a lot of good things and I think for me and for them [it’s great that] we’ve been able to be in WRC. We had some very, very good moments.

Pierre-Louis Loubet

“It was so difficult this year for many, many different reasons; I will not speak about that because now it’s finished. But yes, we won this WRC2 title with such a high level so I will always be thankful for that.”

Loubet had a dismal 2021 season that ended prematurely when he was hit by a car in a traffic incident in Paris. He was forced to skip both Rally Spain and the Monza Rally through injury, having already elected not to take part in Finland.

His recovery process is however “going pretty well”.

“It’s hard work but it’s good and better than before because in October and November I was at home,” Loubet said, “so I’m very happy to be able to do some sport again.”

He will not however be fit enough to take part in next month’s Monte Carlo Rally.

“That will be impossible for me,” he said. “I will be still not fit enough to be able to drive a rally car. I’m hoping to be there in February maybe, I’m not sure, maybe after that.

“I will start with e-Trophée Andros but you do six laps during the day so it’s not really physical. I’ll start slowly.”

Asked if he would return to the WRC next season, Loubet responded: “For the moment I can say nothing, we are working on it. I hope so.

“It has been a super tough season but now I’m much stronger, so I really, really hope next season will be a good one.”

Words:Luke Barry

Photography:Hyundai, Red Bull

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