Sébastien Loeb Racing will return to top level touring car competition in 2021, with the French team running four Hyundai Elantra N cars in TCR Europe.
SLR last competed in touring car racing in the FIA World Touring Car Cup in 2019, when it was the official representative of Volkswagen in the series.
At the time it concluded a five-year stint at the top level of World Touring Cars, having previously competed in the WTCC.
Now the team will start a new relationship with Hyundai Motorsport, fielding four Elantra N cars, including two for Dutchman Niels Langeveled and Italian Felice Jelmini.
The drivers of the other two cars will be announced in due course.
Langeveld has previously raced in TCR Germany in 2017 and 2018, and WTCR in 2019. The 33-year-old was a race winner in Audi machinery in TCR Germany, and a podium finisher in WTCR, also in an RS3.
Jelmini, 25, made his TCR début in TCR Italy in the final event of 2019, only contesting his first full season last year when he won twice and ended the year third overall in the drivers’ standings.
“The team and its drivers all have an excellent track record in TCR competition – both domestically and internationally – and with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR, they have a solid package that they can rely on to fight their way to victories, and perhaps the championship title,” said Dominique Heintz, Sébastien Loeb Racing Team Principal.
“The whole team is very happy and excited to be able to return to touring car racing. Even if the development of new projects is rewarding and promising for the future, our DNA is performance on the track.
“With this large-scale program in TCR Europe we will be able to confront other competitors on the track and we love it!
“The confidence shown by Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing is very rewarding for the team. We know that it is a manufacturer that likes to be competitive like us and I hope that this association will very quickly take the road to victory on the asphalt of these European circuits.”
Andrew Johns, Manager Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing, praised the high level of TCR Europe, in which the new car will also be represented.
“Over the past few seasons, TCR Europe has established itself as one of the key championships in the category, attracting a number of highly professional teams, and successful drivers from around the world,” said Johns.
“Together with Sébastien Loeb Racing, Niels Langeveld and Felice Jelmini, I am proud that Hyundai Motorsport customers will be able to be part of this story in 2021.”
