Here is the thing about legends: they never truly stay away from the machine. As Motorsport.com reports, none other than nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb (yes, that Sebastien Loeb) was right back behind the wheel of a World Rally Championship car for a brand-new constructor.
The Belgian squad, Project Rally One, called upon Loeb for a second time to help develop their 2027 challenger. He shared driving duties with the team's regular test driver Stephane Lefebvre during a two-day tarmac test session around Saint-Die-des-Vosges in France last week.
Development has been a massive group effort so far. Project Rally One has utilized as many as eight drivers during testing, bringing in experienced heads like former factory WRC drivers Freddy Loix and Bruno Thiry, while newly crowned European rally champion Teemu Suninen led development on gravel last month.
Both Loeb and Lefebvre were complimentary on the latest evolutions introduced to the machine. Those updates featured a completely new engine concept development based on a VAG Group (Volkswagen Audi Group) unit with new dedicated components, alongside an important evolution on the transmission side.
Crucially, the team is edging closer to the starting grid. The homologation dossier has now been submitted on time to the FIA, which means the outfit should be in line for an anticipated two-car participation at next year's season opener, Rallye Monte-Carlo 2027.
That said, the driver line-up for next year remains unconfirmed. Project Rally One intends to contest a partial WRC programme and notes that various discussions with potential partners are currently under way.
Project Rally One is one of two new tuner teams expected to contest selected WRC rounds next year. They are joined by Spain’s RMC Motorsport, which is preparing to unveil its own 2027 challenger in the coming weeks.
