Editing Sébastien Loeb (section)

===Rallying===

====Early career====
[[File:Loeb elena.jpg|thumb|left|Loeb and Elena at the 2001 [[Rally Finland]]]]
Loeb initially competed as a [[gymnast]] and became a four-time Alsatian champion, once champion of the French Grand East, and fifth in the French championship.<ref name="Loeb's biography">{{cite web |url=http://www.sebastienloeb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&idcontent=21&Itemid=35 |title=Sébastien Loeb's Official Website&nbsp;– biography |access-date=28 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815011436/http://www.sebastienloeb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&idcontent=21&Itemid=35 |archive-date=15 August 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> He broke off school in 1992 but resumed taking classes in 1994, aiming at vocational training in [[electrical engineering]]. On {{Nowrap|12 September}} 1994, in parallel with his classes, he started working as an electrician at the Socalec company near [[Haguenau Airport]], where he was the oldest apprentice and already noted for his daring/reckless driving style. On this level, he could count on the understanding of his boss, who was himself fascinated by speed and owned a [[Ferrari Testarossa#512 TR|Ferrari Testarossa 512 TR]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100909205404/http://www.dna.fr/fr/rallye-actu/info/3738394-LA-VIE-D-AVANT-Celui-qui-tirait-des-cables ''Celui qui tirait des câbles''], Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, 7 September 2010, on wayback.archive.org {{in lang|fr}}</ref>

In 1995, at age 21, he quit his job and classes and definitively turned his attention to racing. In 1998, he started entering events in the French [[Citroën Saxo]] Trophy series, winning the title in 1999. [[Guy Fréquelin]], [[Citroën World Rally Team|Citroën Sport]]'s team principal, would serve as Loeb's mentor as he entered the [[Junior World Rally Championship]] in 2001, becoming the series' first champion by winning five of the six events. The only event he didn't win this year was [[Rallye Sanremo]]: for this event, he was elected as a driver for the WRC championship, driving a [[Citroën Xsara WRC]] alongside [[Philippe Bugalski]] and [[Jesús Puras]]. In only his third rally with a [[World Rally Car]], he surprisingly hounded [[Peugeot]] tarmac specialist and eventual victor [[Gilles Panizzi]] to the finish, and ended up second.

====2002–03====
[[File:Citroën WRT testing in Finland in 2002 07.jpg|thumb|Loeb during Citroën's testing in Finland in May 2002]]
The [[2002 World Rally Championship season|2002 season]] was Loeb's first as a WRC driver with the [[Citroën Total World Rally Team]], although the team only participated in seven rounds in the build-up to their full entry the following year. Loeb started the season by provisionally winning the [[Monte Carlo Rally]], after racing under appeal due to a two-minute time penalty incurred by an illegal tyre change during the second day. Citroën considered the penalty too severe but later withdrew the appeal, and [[Subaru World Rally Team|Subaru]]'s [[Tommi Mäkinen]] then took a record fourth consecutive Monte Carlo win. Loeb later took his maiden victory at the [[Rallye Deutschland]] in Germany, edging out Peugeot's [[Richard Burns]].

In [[2003 World Rally Championship season|2003]], his first full season in the championship, Loeb won three WRC events, Monte Carlo, Germany and Sanremo, before losing to [[Petter Solberg]] in the [[Wales Rally Great Britain]], also losing the championship to him by just one point. Loeb was asked by his team not to chase Solberg at all costs so that he didn't jeopardise Citroën's lead in the constructors' championship. Loeb's reputation grew as he defeated his more illustrious teammates&nbsp;– [[Carlos Sainz Sr.|Carlos Sainz]] and [[Colin McRae]]&nbsp;– over the course of the season.

====2004====
[[File:Sébastien Loeb - 2004 Cyprus Rally.jpg|thumb|left|Loeb at the 2004 [[Cyprus Rally]]]]
In the [[2004 World Rally Championship season|2004 season]], Loeb dominated the WRC scene in a similar way to [[Michael Schumacher]]'s domination of [[Formula One]] the same year, by winning six events and taking six runner-up spots to securely give him the drivers' title, 36 points clear of second-placed Solberg. His six WRC victories tied the record for victories in one season with fellow Frenchman [[Didier Auriol]], who won six events in 1992. He was also responsible for Citroën's second manufacturers' title in a row.

Originally known as a tarmac specialist, 2004 was the year Loeb proved himself capable of winning on other surfaces as well. He won the snow-based [[Swedish Rally]], becoming the first non-[[Nordic countries|Nordic]] to win the event. On gravel, he triumphed in the [[Cyprus Rally]], [[Rally of Turkey]] and the [[Rally Australia]]. On tarmac, he continued his success in Monte Carlo and Germany.

====2005====
[[File:Sébastien Loeb - 2005 Cyprus Rally 2.jpg|thumb|Loeb at the 2005 Cyprus Rally]]
In [[2005 World Rally Championship season|2005]], with victory in the ninth round in [[Rally Argentina|Argentina]], Loeb became the first to win six consecutive rallies, beating [[Timo Salonen]]'s record of four from 1985. Having already won the season-opening [[Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo]], he also became the first to win seven in a season, beating his (and Didier Auriol's) own record of six wins in a season. Loeb was in a position to clinch the title while leading the [[Wales Rally Great Britain]], but after it was announced that the last two stages of the rally would be abandoned due to the death of [[Markko Märtin]]'s co-driver [[Michael Park (rally co-pilot)|Michael Park]] in an accident on stage 15, Loeb deliberately incurred a two-minute penalty to drop him to third place and avoid retaining his title in such circumstances. He went on to secure the title by finishing second to Peugeot's [[Marcus Grönholm]] at the next rally in Japan.

Loeb eventually extended his win record to ten and won the title with a 56-point margin, breaking a 25-year-old record; [[Walter Röhrl]]'s margin over [[Hannu Mikkola]] in 1980 was 54. Loeb set several other records during the season as well. He won all twelve stages in the [[2005 Tour de Corse]] in France, which marked the first time a driver had won every stage of a WRC rally. Loeb's twelve podium and thirteen points-scoring finishes in a row were also new records in the series.

====2006====
[[File:Citroën Xsara WRC05.JPG|thumb|left|Loeb at the [[2006 Rally Japan]]]]
Citroën's parent company, [[PSA Peugeot Citroën]], pulled both manufacturers out of the WRC at the end of 2005, but Citroën planned to return in 2007 with the [[Citroën C4#C4 in rallying|C4 WRC]], and developed the car during 2006. Loeb was closely involved with this as he was guaranteed the leading role in the team at the comeback. In the meantime, a 'gap year' beckoned in the privateer ranks, namely with Citroën-sponsored [[Kronos Racing]] entered as the [[Kronos Total Citroën World Rally Team]].

In order to score on the first round in [[2006 Monte Carlo Rally|Monte Carlo]], Loeb was initially forced to activate the SupeRally rules for retiring competitors, having spun off the road on day one. Although he did manage to fight his way back to second place, it was the first time he had ever been beaten to the finish (namely by fellow double world champion [[Marcus Grönholm]]) on these roads in the Xsara WRC. This outcome was mirrored on the following month's [[2006 Swedish Rally|Swedish Rally]], with Grönholm again the man to whom Loeb was forced to give best, placing the duo in an early runaway 1–2 position in the points standings.

[[File:Loeb.jpg|thumb|Loeb on a road section during the [[2006 Rally Finland]]]]
But the Frenchman's bridesmaid status was not to last, and racking up a triumph on the ensuing [[2006 Rally Mexico|Rally Mexico]]&nbsp;– the first of five on the trot that season&nbsp;– propelled him into a championship lead he was never to lose. He tied [[Carlos Sainz Sr.|Carlos Sainz]]'s record number of 26 individual rally victories in August with a fifth consecutive victory in Germany. With his subsequent victory in [[Rally Japan|Japan]], the world record of 27 victories and counting eventually became his. His victory in [[Cyprus Rally|Cyprus]] put him on the verge of a third consecutive World Rally Championship title.

Shortly after, Loeb broke his right [[humerus]] in a mountain-biking accident near his home in Switzerland, causing him to miss the last four rallies of the season ([[Rally of Turkey|Turkey]], [[Rally Australia|Australia]], [[Rally New Zealand|New Zealand]] and [[Wales Rally GB|Wales]]). In spite of this, Loeb had accumulated such a huge point lead before Turkey that [[Marcus Grönholm]]'s failure to finish third or better in Australia handed Loeb the 2006 championship crown by one point. He received the news at home via an Internet video link to the rally HQ. Due to the time difference, he made do with early morning coffee instead of the customary champagne, calling the whole experience "strange".

In 2022, on the WRC Backstories Podcast with Becs Williams, Loeb revealed that he even considered to co-drive for [[Colin McRae]] for the rest of the season due to the injury. As co-drivers themselves scored points, Loeb could have possibly scored points for himself as a driver to try and win the title. The plan never came to fruition though as Grönholm's crash meant Loeb won the title anyway.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WRC Backstories: Sébastien Loeb |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/wrc-backstories-seb-loeb/ |access-date=2022-05-16 |website=WRC - World Rally Championship |language=en}}</ref>

====2007====
[[File:Sébastien Loeb - 2007 Rally Catalunya.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Loeb at the [[2007 Rally Catalunya]]]]
For 2007, Loeb returned as an official [[Citroën]] driver, with the new [[Citroën C4 WRC]]. He won the [[75ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo]], the first race for the new C4, following that with a solid second place after Grönholm, in [[56th Uddeholm Swedish Rally|Sweden]], to set a two-point lead over the Finn after two of 16 rounds. At the [[Rally Norway 2007|first Rally Norway]], Loeb went off and lost eight minutes during SS12 while chasing Grönholm and the leader, [[Mikko Hirvonen]]. On the next stage, he made another mistake and lost nine minutes. He eventually finished 14th in the rally and dropped to third in the championship standings. He won 8 of the 18 stages in this rally. Loeb won the next rally, the [[21º Corona Rally México]], 55.8 seconds clear of Grönholm.

He then followed this success with his third and fourth season victories on the [[2007 Vodafone Rally de Portugal|Portuguese]] and [[Rally Argentina|Argentinian]] rallies. Characteristically, he was once more to be found in the lead on the seventh round, the Rally d'Italia in [[Sardinia]]. On new stages on the final leg to those of the previous year, however, Loeb was once more to lament error and the surrender of probable victory, this time after crashing and breaking his car's suspension in a ditch. He left the lead in the hands of Grönholm, who won to propel himself seven points ahead of Loeb at the top of the championship standings. A second loss to the Finn in as many years on the [[Acropolis Rally]] then extended the deficit to nine points over the championship's summer break.

Loeb occupied his recess by, amongst other engagements, competing in the Shell Donegal International Rally on 15, 16 and {{Nowrap|17 June}}, partially as preparation for the coming Rally Ireland World Championship round that November. He scored a comprehensive victory, albeit only after being given a scare by the pace of tenacious private Subaru-driver [[Mark Higgins (driver)|Mark Higgins]], who had a 45-second lead at the end of day one. Punctures afflicted upon his rival eventually settled the contest.

Ambitions of finally scoring victory on Rally Finland proved once more unrealised, with Loeb relegated to third place behind the pacy natives Grönholm and Hirvonen. Rallye Deutschland, as was traditional, differed somewhat. At the scene of his first victory and on a rally where he had never subsequently lost, Loeb was left unexpectedly to fend off the challenge not of the Finn, but of a privateer, his one-time teammate and championship returnee [[François Duval]]. He eventually triumphed and reduced some of his championship points deficit.

[[File:Sebastien Loeb-2007 Wales Rally GB 001.jpg|thumb|Loeb at the [[2007 Wales Rally GB]]]]
A very close battle on the gravel stages of [[2007 Rally New Zealand|Rally New Zealand]] ended with the [[List of World Rally Championship records#Closest wins|second closest win]] in WRC history&nbsp;– Loeb finished only 0.3s behind his main rival. The next two rounds allowed the French driver to regain some points, as he won both tarmac events&nbsp;– Rallye Espana, where his teammate Dani Sordo took second place and two points from Grönholm, and Rally France.

Rally Japan was another dramatic event&nbsp;– Loeb got the chance to take the lead in the Championship after Grönholm's early mistake,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/156435-0/news_flash_gronholm_goes_off_road.html |title=News Flash: Gronholm goes off road. |access-date=29 November 2007 |date=26 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128013045/http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/156435-0/news_flash_gronholm_goes_off_road.html |archive-date=28 November 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> but he was unable to, as his co-driver's mistake caused the C4 to go off the road on one of the stages of second leg. Both drivers ended with no points after finally retiring from the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/156538-0/news_flash_loeb_out_again_updated.html |title=News Flash: Loeb out again [updated] |access-date=29 November 2007 |date=28 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029184914/http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/156538-0/news_flash_loeb_out_again_updated.html |archive-date=29 October 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> In Ireland, during [[2007 Rally Ireland|1st Rally Ireland]] almost the same happened&nbsp;– Marcus Grönholm overcooked a slippery right corner on one of the early stages, trying to keep a fast pace, and had to retire from the rally. Loeb made use of his rival's mistake and, by making no major mistakes, although having some suspension-related problems with keeping pace at the beginning,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/157230-0/sordo_top.html |title=Sordo top. |access-date=29 November 2007 |date=16 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117020029/http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wrc/news/157230-0/sordo_top.html |archive-date=17 November 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> he added 10 points to his account, moving ahead of the Finnish driver just one round before the season's end. In [[2007 Rally GB|Wales]] he was not fighting for the win, focusing mostly on securing his advantage, finishing the event third&nbsp;– on {{Nowrap|2 December}} 2007 Loeb became World Rally Champion for the fourth time in a row.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/7123638.stm |title=Loeb lands fourth straight title. |access-date=2 December 2007 |date=2 December 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204125227/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/7123638.stm |archive-date=4 December 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====2008====
[[File:Loeb-rmc2008.jpg|thumb|left|Loeb with his [[Citroën C4 WRC|C4 WRC]] at the [[2008 Monte Carlo Rally]]]]
Loeb started the [[2008 World Rally Championship season|2008 season]] with a record fifth win in [[2008 Monte Carlo Rally|Monte Carlo]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Loeb clinches record Monte win |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64866 |access-date=27 January 2008 |date=27 January 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130000124/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/64866 | archive-date=30 January 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref> On the second rally of the year, [[2008 Swedish Rally]], he crashed out during day one. Although he re-joined the rally to collect manufacturers' points, the team later decided to retire him due to a damaged engine. After winning in [[2008 Rally Mexico|Mexico]] and [[2008 Rally Argentina|Argentina]], Loeb had a crash with [[Conrad Rautenbach]] on a road section in [[2008 Jordan Rally|Jordan]], from which he could only recover to take tenth place in the rally. He went on to win two events, and then finish close third to the [[BP Ford World Rally Team|Ford]] factory team duo [[Mikko Hirvonen]] and [[Jari-Matti Latvala]] at the [[2008 Rally of Turkey|Rally of Turkey]].

Loeb later notably won the [[2008 Rally Finland|Rally Finland]] ahead of Hirvonen. This was the fourth time in the event's 58-year history that a non-[[Nordic countries|Nordic]] driver won the rally, after [[Carlos Sainz Sr.|Carlos Sainz]] in 1990, [[Didier Auriol]] in 1992 and [[Markko Märtin]] in 2003. This started a string of five victories for Loeb. In [[2008 Rallye Deutschland|Germany]], [[2008 Rally New Zealand|New Zealand]] and [[2008 Rally Catalunya|Spain]], Citroën also took double wins as his teammate [[Dani Sordo]] took three runner-up spots in a row.

[[File:MG 2752 (3472x2259) (2940x1913) (300dpi).jpg|thumb|Loeb during the [[2008 Rally Argentina]]]]
Going into the penultimate round of the season, the [[2008 Rally Japan]], Loeb led Hirvonen by 14 points and needed a third place to secure the world drivers' title. Finishing behind Ford's Hirvonen and Latvala, Loeb broke [[Juha Kankkunen]]'s, [[Tommi Mäkinen]]'s and his own [[List of World Rally Championship records|record]] of four titles and became the first five-time world champion in rallying.<ref>{{cite news |title=Loeb clinches record fifth WRC title |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71928 |access-date=2 November 2008 |date=2 November 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206231735/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71928 | archive-date=6 December 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref>

After clinching the World Rally Championship, Loeb edged out Latvala to take his first [[2008 Rally GB|Wales Rally GB]] win, a feat which also helped secure his team their first [[List of World Rally Championship Constructors' Champions|manufacturers' title]] since 2005, from 2006 and 2007 victors Ford.

====2009====
[[File:Sébastien Loeb - 2009 Cyprus Rally.jpg|thumb|left|Loeb during the shakedown in [[2009 Cyprus Rally|Cyprus]]]]
Loeb started the year by winning [[2009 Rally Ireland|Rally Ireland]] for the second time since 2007. He then won his first [[2009 Rally Norway|Rally Norway]] ever, after a fierce battle with [[Mikko Hirvonen]], lasting throughout the very final stage. Being first on the road through all three days, Loeb kept his lead, in the end winning with 9.8 seconds over Hirvonen. Loeb continued his good form by winning over Hirvonen in [[2009 Cyprus Rally|Cyprus]], marking his career 50th victory, and in [[2009 Rally Portugal|Portugal]]. His victory in Argentina, the fifth in a row in this country, was also his fifth victory in a row since the start of the season.

At the [[2009 Rally d'Italia Sardegna|Rally d'Italia Sardegna]], Loeb had a puncture after going off the road and dropped from third to fourth.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Latvala ends Loeb's winning streak |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75574 |date=24 May 2009 |access-date=21 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527040136/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75574 | archive-date=27 May 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref> Although he passed [[Petter Solberg]] for the final podium spot, he still finished fourth due to a time penalty for a safety rule violation; co-driver [[Daniel Elena]] had unfastened his safety belts before the crew stopped the car for a tyre change.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Penalty drops Loeb to fourth |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75578 |date=24 May 2009 |access-date=21 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527144938/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75578 | archive-date=27 May 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2009 Acropolis Rally|Acropolis Rally]], Loeb crashed out from third place.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Loeb crashes out of Acropolis |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76106 |date=13 June 2009 |access-date=21 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616102425/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76106 | archive-date=16 June 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref> On [[2009 Rally Poland|Rally Poland]]'s return to the WRC, Loeb had another crash but he continued in the event under ''superally'' rules. After team orders issued for the [[Citroën Junior Team]] drivers and a late mistake by Ford's [[Jari-Matti Latvala]], Loeb found himself seventh but had lost the championship lead to Hirvonen by one point.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Hirvonen takes win and points lead |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76606 |date=28 June 2009 |access-date=21 July 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804162733/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76606 | archive-date=4 August 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref>

By winning the [[2009 Rally Catalunya|Rally Catalunya]], Loeb reduced the deficit to Hirvonen in the title race before the final event of the year; once again trailing by a single point.<ref>{{cite web |title=Loeb wins Rally Catalunya |work=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] |url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.ASpx?AR=243797 |date=5 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501173111/http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.ASpx?AR=243797 | archive-date=1 May 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref> The Frenchman gained the championship by winning the final event of the year, the [[2009 Rally GB|Rally GB]]. Victory was secured partly due to an incredible performance over SS8 and SS9, where in the course of only two stages Loeb extended his lead in the rally over Hirvonen from 2.4s to 25s.<ref>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Beer |title=Loeb wins Rally GB and sixth title |work=[[Autosport]] |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79758 |date=15 October 2009 |access-date=15 October 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027234610/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79758 | archive-date=27 October 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/8324857.stm |title=Loeb secures sixth title in a row |date=25 October 2009 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=26 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028033133/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/world_rally/8324857.stm|archive-date=28 October 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2010====
[[File:Sebastien loeb, sofia, 2010.JPG|thumb|right|Loeb in [[Sofia]] before the [[2010 Rally Bulgaria]]]]
The [[2010 World Rally Championship season|2010 WRC season]] started with the snow-based [[2010 Swedish Rally|Swedish Rally]], where Loeb finished second behind [[Ford World Rally Team|Ford]]'s [[Mikko Hirvonen]]. He went on to take a clear championship lead by winning the following three gravel events: [[2010 Rally México|Rally México]], [[2010 Jordan Rally|Jordan Rally]] and [[2010 Rally of Turkey|Rally of Turkey]]. In [[2010 Rally New Zealand|New Zealand]], Loeb finished third in a tight battle that saw the top five finish within 26 seconds of each other. In [[2010 Rally de Portugal|Portugal]], Loeb narrowly lost the win to his countryman [[Sébastien Ogier]] of the [[Citroën Junior Team]], who took his debut win in the World Rally Championship. In the following [[2010 Rally Bulgaria|Rally Bulgaria]], a new event in the series and the season's first tarmac rally, Loeb won while Citroën scored the WRC's first 1–2–3–4 in seventeen years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sebastien Loeb wins Rally Bulgaria! |work=WRC.com |url=http://www.wrc.com/news/breaking-news-sebastien-loeb-wins-rally-bulgaria!/?fid=13296 |date=11 July 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515214802/http://www.wrc.com/news/breaking-news-sebastien-loeb-wins-rally-bulgaria%21/?fid=13296 | archive-date=15 May 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[2010 Rally Finland|60th Rally Finland]], Loeb beat Citroën privateer [[Petter Solberg]] to the final podium position, behind Ford's [[Jari-Matti Latvala]] and Ogier. He went on to win the [[2010 Rallye Deutschland|Rallye Deutschland]] for the eighth time in a row, marking the first time a driver has won a WRC rally eight times.<ref>{{cite web |first=Anthony |last=Peacock |title=Sébastien Loeb wins Rallye Deutschland |work=[[AutoWeek]] |url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100822/WRC/100829972 |date=23 August 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825174312/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100822/WRC/100829972 | archive-date=25 August 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref> After a fifth place in [[2010 Rally Japan|Japan]], Loeb secured a record-extending seventh consecutive World Rally Championship title by winning his home event, the [[2010 Rallye de France|Rallye de France]]. As the [[Rallye de France–Alsace]] had replaced the [[Tour de Corse]] as the French round of the WRC, Loeb ended up clinching the title on a final stage that was held in his home town of [[Haguenau]], [[Alsace]].<ref>{{cite web |first=David C. |last=Schilke |title=Loeb takes 7th WRC title at his home town in France |work=Motorsport.com |url=http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=389682&FS=WRC |date=3 October 2010 |access-date=3 October 2010}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/9055794.stm |title=Sebastien Loeb wins seventh straight World Rally crown |date=3 October 2010 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=3 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004045511/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/9055794.stm|archive-date=4 October 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINLDE69206O20101003 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714081421/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINLDE69206O20101003 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2012 |title=Factbox-Rallying-World champion Sebastien Loeb |access-date=4 October 2010 |work=Reuters |date=3 October 2010}}</ref>

During the course of the season, he was on the podium of all events but one (Japan where he finished fifth), and ended up the season with a record 105 points over runner-up [[Jari-Matti Latvala]].

====2011====
[[File:Loeb 2011 WRC Portugal.jpg|thumb|left|Loeb at the [[2011 Rally de Portugal]]]]
The [[2011 World Rally Championship season|2011 season]] brought a new generation of [[World Rally Car]]s. Now at the wheel of a [[Citroën DS3 WRC]], Loeb started his year by finishing sixth at the [[2011 Rally Sweden|Rally Sweden]]. He went on to win in [[2011 Rally México|Mexico]] for the fifth time in row, after teammate [[Sébastien Ogier]] crashed out from a narrow lead.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://wrc.com/news/breaking-news-loeb-wins-in-mexico/?fid=14289 |date=6 March 2011 |access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Loeb wins in Mexico |work=[[World Rally Championship]] |publisher=[[International Sportsworld Communicators]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718120835/http://wrc.com/news/breaking-news-loeb-wins-in-mexico/?fid=14289 | archive-date=18 July 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2011 Rally de Portugal|Portugal]], Loeb finished second to Ogier and took his first Power Stage win, collecting three more points from the final stage.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://wrc.com/news/sunday-wrap-ogier-strikes-gold-in-portugal/?fid=14441 |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Ogier strikes gold in Portugal |work=[[World Rally Championship]] |publisher=[[International Sportsworld Communicators]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320090912/http://wrc.com/news/sunday-wrap-ogier-strikes-gold-in-portugal/?fid=14441 | archive-date=20 March 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2011 Jordan Rally|Jordan Rally]], held during the [[Arab Spring]], the entire first day was cancelled. Loeb placed third behind the closest-ever finish in the history of the World Rally Championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/rallying-jordan-idUKLDE73F08220110416 |date=16 April 2011 |access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Ogier pips Latvala to Jordan win in closest ever finish |work=[[Reuters]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022160045/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/16/rallying-jordan-idUKLDE73F08220110416 | archive-date=22 October 2012 | url-status=dead}}</ref> He then beat [[Ford World Rally Team|Ford]]'s [[Mikko Hirvonen]] to the win at the [[2011 Rally d'Italia Sardegna|Rally d'Italia Sardegna]].

In [[2011 Rally Argentina|Argentina]], Loeb won after a tight three-way battle, taking the lead from Ogier on the final stage and finishing 2.4 seconds ahead of Hirvonen.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/2011/0529/rallyofargentina.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911061649/http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/2011/0529/rallyofargentina.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 September 2012 |date=29 May 2011 | access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Loeb wins sixth Rally of Argentina |work=[[RTÉ]]}}</ref> At the next event, the [[2011 Acropolis Rally|Acropolis Rally]] in Greece, Loeb had to settle for second behind Ogier. In the high-speed [[2011 Rally Finland|Rally Finland]], he beat [[Jari-Matti Latvala]] to become the first non-Nordic driver to win twice in the event's 60-year history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-58543220110731 |date=31 July 2011 |access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Loeb wins Rally Finland for the second time |work=[[Reuters]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022160037/http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/07/31/idINIndia-58543220110731 | archive-date=22 October 2012 | url-status=dead}}</ref> In August, Loeb signed a two-year contract extension with Citroën.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brad |last=Constant |url=http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110817/WRC/110819888 |date=17 August 2011 | access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Sébastien Loeb to stay with Citroën through 2013 |work=[[Autoweek]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016123558/http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110817/WRC/110819888 | archive-date=16 October 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> At the [[2011 Rallye Deutschland|Rallye Deutschland]], Loeb held a close lead ahead of Ogier after the first day and Citroën decided to freeze the situation. A puncture later dropped Loeb out of contention and he finished behind his teammate. This ended his record win streak in Germany and was the first time that he had lost in a tarmac-based event since the [[2006 Monte Carlo Rally]]. Tension in the team grew; David Evans of ''[[Autosport]]'' wrote that "it's war between the two Sebs".<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Evans |url=http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/3803/why-it-war-between-the-two-sebs/ |access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Why it's war between the two Sebs |work=[[Autosport]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425135351/http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/3803/why-it-war-between-the-two-sebs/ | archive-date=25 April 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Acr2011 550.jpg|thumb|Loeb at the [[2011 Acropolis Rally|Acropolis Rally]]]]
Before [[2011 Rally Australia|Australia]], Loeb held a 25-point lead in the championship ahead of Ogier. During the first day of the rally, both Sébastiens crashed out. Loeb later gained a point by climbing to tenth place after Citroën ordered Ogier to slow down.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,15776_7169779,00.html |date=11 September 2011 |access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Hirvonen wins Down Under |work=[[Sky Sports]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310104645/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,15776_7169779,00.html | archive-date=10 March 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref> In his home event, the [[2011 Rallye de France|Rallye de France]], Loeb took the lead from the start but soon fell victim to a rare engine failure in his DS3 WRC and had to retire. As Ogier beat [[Mini WRC Team|Mini]]'s [[Dani Sordo]] to the win, Loeb now tied the lead in the championship with Hirvonen, and Ogier was only three points adrift. At the [[2011 Rally Catalunya|Rally Catalunya]], Loeb took his fifth win of the season and broke [[Markku Alén]]'s record (801) for most stage wins in the world championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=676704&vId= |date=23 October 2011 | access-date=10 November 2011 |title=Loeb overtakes Alen's 801 stage record |work=[[Sky News]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616205710/http://www.skynews.com.au/sport/article.aspx?id=676704&vId= | archive-date=16 June 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He carried an eight-point lead over Hirvonen into the season-ending [[2011 Wales Rally GB|Wales Rally GB]]. Loeb took the rally lead from Latvala on the third stage, but lost it to Hirvonen by 0.4 seconds on stage six. However, Hirvonen soon went wide, spun and broke his radiator, which in turn caused severe engine problems. As Hirvonen was unable to restart, Loeb secured his eighth consecutive world championship. This title moved him ahead of seven-time champion [[Michael Schumacher]] in terms of major motorsport championships won.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/nov/11/sebastien-loeb-world-title |date=11 November 2011 |access-date=11 November 2011 |title=Sébastien Loeb wins eighth world title to break Schumacher's record and one behind Valentino Rossis record of nine world championships |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216193512/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/nov/11/sebastien-loeb-world-title | archive-date=16 December 2013 | url-status=live}}</ref> While running in second place behind Latvala, Loeb retired from the rally due to a road section collision with a spectator who had driven his car on the wrong side of a narrow road.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sebastien Loeb 'could not avoid' road section collision that ended his Rally GB |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96172 |first1=David |last1=Evans |first2=Matt |last2=Beer |work=[[Autosport]] |publisher=[[Haymarket Group|Haymarket Publications]] |date=13 November 2011 |access-date=14 November 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114155504/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96172 | archive-date=14 November 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15713476 |title=World rally champ Sebastien Loeb crashes with hire car |date=13 November 2011 |work=BBC News |access-date=14 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116005049/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15713476|archive-date=16 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2012====
[[File:Loeb elena Monte Carlo 2012.jpg|thumb|left|Loeb at the [[2012 Monte Carlo Rally]]]]
Loeb began his [[2012 World Rally Championship season|2012 season]] by beating [[Mini WRC Team|Mini]]'s [[Dani Sordo]] to a record sixth win in the [[2012 Monte Carlo Rally|Monte Carlo Rally]]. He also secured the maximum points by recording the fastest time for the power stage.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |title=Sébastien Loeb begins title defence with win in Monte Carlo Rally |date=22 January 2012 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/22/sebastien-loeb-monte-carlo-rally |access-date=2 October 2012 |location=London | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312055058/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/jan/22/sebastien-loeb-monte-carlo-rally | archive-date=12 March 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2012 Rally Sweden|Sweden]], after hitting a snowbank on stage seven, Loeb was forced out of the fight for the number one spot. He finished sixth and gained three extra points by again winning the power stage.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Autosport]] |title=Jari-Matti Latvala clinches win in Sweden for Ford despite late puncture |date=12 February 2012 |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97500 |access-date=2 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929205830/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97500 | archive-date=29 September 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> Loeb took his second victory of the season at the [[2012 Rally México|Rally Mexico]], ahead of his new teammate [[Mikko Hirvonen]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[RTÉ]] |title=Loeb claims victory at Rally Mexico |date=28 March 2012 |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/rally/2012/0312/294156-wrc_mexico_loeb/ |access-date=2 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926094309/https://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/rally/2012/0312/294156-wrc_mexico_loeb/ | archive-date=26 September 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>
In [[2012 Rally de Portugal|Portugal]], he crashed out from third place on the night stages of the first day, after misunderstanding a pacenote.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |title=Motorsport: Loeb crashes out of Rally Portugal |date=30 March 2012 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10795550 |access-date=2 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618194116/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10795550 | archive-date=18 June 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2012 Rally Argentina|Rally Argentina]] was dominated by the Citroëns and Loeb drove to his 70th WRC victory.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Reuters]] |title=Loeb takes 70th world rally victory |date=29 April 2012 |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rallying-argentina-idUKBRE83S0E920120429 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305203501/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rallying-argentina-idUKBRE83S0E920120429 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=2 October 2012 |first=Alan |last=Baldwin}}</ref> At the [[Acropolis Rally]] in Greece, he cruised to an easy win after Ford's [[Jari-Matti Latvala]] and [[Petter Solberg]] ran into several problems and dropped out of contention.<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Eurosport]] |title=Loeb cruises to Acropolis win |date=27 May 2012 |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/loeb-cruises-acropolis-win-124048894.html |access-date=2 October 2012}}</ref>

He went on to continue his WRC win streak in [[2012 Rally New Zealand|New Zealand]] and in [[2012 Rally Finland|Finland]], where he edged out Hirvonen to take his third win in the event.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |title=Loeb takes Neste Oil Rally Finland for a third time |date=6 August 2012 |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Loeb+takes+Neste+Oil+Rally+Finland+for+a+third+time/1329104566022 |access-date=2 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828035411/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Loeb+takes+Neste+Oil+Rally+Finland+for+a+third+time/1329104566022 | archive-date=28 August 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> This marked the fourth double win in a row for the Citroën duo. After beating Latvala to the win in [[2012 Rallye Deutschland|Germany]], Loeb finished second to the Finn at the [[2012 Wales Rally GB|Wales Rally GB]], after a tight battle for the position with Solberg.<ref>{{cite web |work=[[BBC]] |title=Jari-Matti Latvala defends Wales Rally GB title |date=16 September 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/18046215 |access-date=2 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625020743/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motorsport/18046215 | archive-date=25 June 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In late September, Loeb announced his retirement from full-time rallying, stating that he would compete only in selected events during the upcoming season. He added that he is interested in taking on a new challenge such as the [[World Touring Car Championship]].<ref>{{cite news |work=[[RTÉ]] |title=Sebastien Loeb will partially retire from the World Rally Championship |date=27 September 2012 |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/rally/2012/0927/339342-loeb-to-step-back-from-wrc/ |access-date=7 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930204305/http://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/rally/2012/0927/339342-loeb-to-step-back-from-wrc/ | archive-date=30 September 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> In his home event, the [[2012 Rallye de France|Rallye de France]], Loeb built a cushion over Latvala and title rival Hirvonen on the first two days. He then held Latvala at bay on the wet roads on Sunday, securing a record ninth drivers' title in the World Rally Championship and aiding Citroën to its eighth manufacturers' title.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |title=Loeb clinches ninth consecutive world title |date=7 October 2012 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-rt-us-rallying-francebre896091-20121007,0,6492578.story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119063826/http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-rt-us-rallying-francebre896091-20121007,0,6492578.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref> German magazine ''[[Auto Bild]]'' noted that Loeb was now two world championship titles clear of Schumacher and equal to Valentino Rossi, and dubbed him "the best rally driver of all time and a shining light in motorsport."<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Auto Bild]] |title=Loeb zum neunten Mal Weltmeister |date=7 October 2012 |url=http://www.autobild.de/artikel/rallye-2012-3664652.html |quote=Eine Homage an den besten Rallyefahrer aller Zeiten und an eine Lichtgestalt im Motorsport. |access-date=8 October 2012 |language=de | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009074643/http://www.autobild.de/artikel/rallye-2012-3664652.html | archive-date=9 October 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> Former world champion [[Ari Vatanen]] opined that Loeb's records are unlikely to be broken.<ref>{{cite web |work=[[MTV3]] |title=Vatanen: Loebin ennätyksiä tuskin rikotaan |date=8 October 2012 |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/2012/10/1631474/vatanen-loebin-ennatyksia-tuskin-rikotaan |access-date=8 October 2012 |language=fi | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011091743/http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/2012/10/1631474/vatanen-loebin-ennatyksia-tuskin-rikotaan | archive-date=11 October 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>

====2013====

Loeb competed in five rallies of the 2013 season: Monte Carlo, Sweden, Argentina, Germany and France.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/wrc-rallying-loeb-enter-four-rallies-next-year-172257165.html |title=Loeb to enter four rallies next year | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928052227/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/wrc-rallying-loeb-enter-four-rallies-next-year-172257165.html | archive-date=28 September 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He started his partial WRC season with a win in Monte Carlo,<ref>{{cite news |title=Sebastien Loeb wins Rallye Monte-Carlo |url=http://www.speedcafe.com/2013/01/20/sebastien-loeb-wins-rallye-monte-carlo/ |work=Speedcafe.com |date=20 January 2013 |access-date=20 January 2013}}</ref> and finished last to [[Sébastien Ogier]] in Sweden, followed by another win in Argentina. Ahead of his home rally in France, it has been speculated it could be his WRC swansong.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrc.com/news/the-loeb-review-malcolm-wilson/?fid=19112 |title=WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com |website=www.wrc.com|access-date=25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925173657/http://www.wrc.com/news/the-loeb-review-malcolm-wilson/?fid=19112|archive-date=25 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrc.com/news/the-loeb-review-jari-matti-latvala/?fid=19129 |title=WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com |website=www.wrc.com|access-date=1 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001072946/http://www.wrc.com/news/the-loeb-review-jari-matti-latvala/?fid=19129|archive-date=1 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>  It was confirmed on 1 October 2013 as Loeb will continue racing for Citroën, this time for [[2014 World Touring Car Championship season|World Touring Car Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrc.com/news/features/au-revoir-seb-part-1/?fid=19131 |title=WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com |website=www.wrc.com|access-date=1 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001100205/http://www.wrc.com/news/features/au-revoir-seb-part-1/?fid=19131|archive-date=1 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV1va8vZ-_8 |title=Sébastien Loeb - the most successful WRC career ever! |last=FIA World Rally Championship |date=1 October 2013 |via=YouTube|access-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522152400/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV1va8vZ-_8|archive-date=22 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>  However, Loeb crashed out on the first stage of day three.  The rally was eventually won by Sebastien Ogier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrc.com/news/loeb-ldquo;it-didnt-go-as-plannedrdquo;/?fid=19231 |title=WRC.com®- FIA World Rally Championship - Official Website - wrc.com |website=www.wrc.com|access-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401212653/http://www.wrc.com/news/loeb-ldquo;it-didnt-go-as-plannedrdquo;/?fid=19231|archive-date=1 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2014–20====
[[File:Rajd Monte Carlo 2019 - Sébastien Loeb.jpg|thumb|Loeb and Elena at the [[2019 Monte Carlo Rally]], driving the [[Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC]].]]
Returning to the WRC after being absent in 2014, in [[2015 World Rally Championship|2015]] Loeb participated in the [[2015 Monte Carlo Rally|Monte Carlo Rally]] and finished 8th after a crash. In [[2016 World Rally Championship|2016]] and [[2017 World Rally Championship|2017]] he did not contest any rounds.

He drove 3 rounds in [[2018 World Rally Championship|2018]] and won his last rally with [[Citroën World Rally Team|Citroën]], the [[2018 Rally Catalunya|Rally Catalunya]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2022-01-27|title=The five best Loeb vs Ogier WRC battles|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-five-best-loeb-vs-ogier-wrc-battles/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=DirtFish|language=en-US}}</ref>

He signed to race part time with the [[Hyundai World Rally Team]] for the [[2019 World Rally Championship|2019 season.]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schrader|first=Stef|date=2018-12-12|title=Sébastien Loeb, 9-Time Rally Champion, Is Returning to WRC With Hyundai|url=https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/25447/sbastien-loeb-9-time-rally-champion-is-returning-to-wrc-with-hyundai|access-date=2022-02-22|website=The Drive|language=en}}</ref> He got one podium in the [[2019 Rally Chile|Rally Chile]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Who's smiling after South America?|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/news-archive/wrc/who---s-smiling-after-south-america-/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=WRC - World Rally Championship|date=17 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and participated in 6 rounds. He closed out 2019 with a win at the non-championship rally, the [[Rallye du Var]] with his partner Laurène Godey as his co-driver.<ref name=":7" />

In [[2020 World Rally Championship|2020]], he continued with Hyundai and finished 6th at the [[2019 Monte Carlo Rally|Monte Carlo Rally]] and got a podium at [[2019 Rally Turkey|Turkey]], which were the only two rounds he entered in that season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-19|title=Neuville ends Turkey day two on top as Loeb rises to podium|url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/neuville-ends-turkey-day-two-on-top-as-loeb-rises-to-podium/|access-date=2022-02-22|website=DirtFish|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 1 October 2020, he announced that he would be leaving [[Hyundai World Rally Team]]. He did not participate in the WRC in [[2021 World Rally Championship|2021]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Loeb open to Hyundai return |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/season-2020/wrc/loeb-open-to-hyundai-return/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=WRC - World Rally Championship |language=en}}</ref>

====2021====

On 29 November 2021, Loeb's co-driver [[Daniel Elena]] announced his retirement.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=2021-11-29|title=ELENA CALLS TIME ON WRC CAREER|work=WRC|url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2021/wrc/elena-calls-time-on-wrc-career/}}</ref>

Loeb then tested the [[Ford Puma Rally1]] for [[M-Sport World Rally Team|M Sport]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-10-19|title=Loeb tests M-Sport's 2022 Puma in Spain |work=DirtFish |first1=David |last1=Evans |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/loeb-tests-m-sports-2022-puma-in-spain/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416083354/https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/loeb-tests-m-sports-2022-puma-in-spain/ |archive-date= 16 Apr 2023 }}</ref> later announcing that would compete for the British squad part time in the WRC with new co-driver [[Isabelle Galmiche]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-12-21|title=M-Sport announces Loeb's WRC return on Monte Carlo Rally |work=DirtFish |first1=Dominik |last1=Wilde |first2=David |last2=Evans |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/m-sport-announces-loebs-wrc-return-on-monte-carlo-rally/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411044440/https://dirtfish.com/rally/m-sport-announces-loebs-wrc-return-on-monte-carlo-rally/ |archive-date= 11 Apr 2023 }}</ref>

====2022====

At the [[2022 Monte Carlo Rally|Monte Carlo Rally]], Loeb participated alongside [[Isabelle Galmiche]] for [[M-Sport World Rally Team|M-Sport Ford World Rally Team]], barely having recovered from the [[2022 Dakar Rally|Dakar Rally]] and with very little time behind the wheel of a WRC car since 2018. He battled his former rival [[Sébastien Ogier]] (co-driver [[Benjamin Veillas]]) all rally long, till Ogier got a puncture in the penultimate stage. At the final stage Loeb led by 9.5s, and Ogier got a 10-second penalty for a jumpstart. Loeb won his 80th WRC rally<ref>{{Cite news|last=Howard|first=Tom|date=2022-01-23|title=WRC Monte Carlo: Loeb beats Ogier to take eighth Monte win in epic battle|work=Autosport|url=https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-monte-carlo-loeb-beats-ogier-to-win-wrc-monte-carlo-epic/7534275/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230722105915/https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/wrc-monte-carlo-loeb-beats-ogier-to-win-wrc-monte-carlo-epic/7534275/ |archive-date= 22 Jul 2023 }}</ref> by 10.5s over Ogier, first for a manufacturer other than [[Citroën World Rally Team]] and his first with a co-driver other than [[Daniel Elena]]. He also became the oldest driver to lead and win a WRC Rally. Galmiche became the first woman co-driver to win a WRC event since [[Fabrizia Pons]] in 1997.

At the [[2022 Rally de Portugal|Rally de Portugal]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-19 |title=Loeb returning to M-Sport for Rally Portugal |work=Racer |url=https://racer.com/2022/04/19/loeb-returning-to-m-sport-for-rally-portugal/ |access-date=2022-04-25}}</ref> Loeb and Galmiche were 10.1 seconds behind rally leader [[Elfyn Evans]] (co-driver [[Scott Martin (co-driver)|Scott Martin]]) in SS3, but won the next stage and took 10.6 seconds out of their deficit; therefore putting them in the overall rally lead by 0.5 seconds over Evans. At the first corner of SS5 though, Loeb slid wide into a barrier, completely destroying his rear-right suspension.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Howard |first=Tom |date=2022-05-20 |title=World Rally Championship legend Sebastien Loeb has crashed out of Rally Portugal on the first stage of Friday afternoon's loop. |work=Motorsport.com |url=https://www.motorsport.com/wrc/news/wrc-portugal-loeb-crashes-out-of-the-lead-on-stage-5/10307346/ |access-date=2022-05-23}}</ref> On Saturday, Loeb had another mechanical issue which forced him to retire.

The next rally they took part in was the [[2022 Safari Rally|Safari Rally]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-27 |title=LEGEND LOEB CONFIRMS SAFARI COMEBACK |work=WRC- World Rally Championship |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/legend-loeb-confirms-safari-comeback/}}</ref> The last time Loeb participated in that rally before 2022 was in 2002. Loeb and Galmiche had good speed and even managed to win a stage on Friday, but Loeb's engine had a small fire and wouldn't start up later. They retired for the day. Even though they were out of contention, they won two more stages on Sunday and ultimately recovered to eighth place.

Loeb and Galmiche then took part in the [[2022 Acropolis Rally|Acropolis Rally]], where they ran for the lead alongside M Sport teammate [[Pierre-Louis Loubet]] (co driver [[Vincent Landais]]). Both crews traded stage wins, but Loeb was leading with Friday done. On the next day though, Loeb again encountered issues and had to retire. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Neuville triumphs as Hyundai makes history in Greece |url=https://www.wrc.com/en/news/2022/wrc/breaking-neuville-seals-first-win-of-2022-/ |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=WRC - World Rally Championship |language=en}}</ref>

====2023====

Loeb alongside his partner and co-driver Laurène Godey won the [[Rallye Açores|Azores Rallye]] on their first attempt, in a [[Škoda Fabia RS Rally2]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=WRC legend Loeb victorious on rally return in Azores |url=https://www.motorsport.com/rally/news/wrc-legend-loeb-victorious-on-rally-return/10452242/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=www.motorsport.com |date=2 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref>