Nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb has committed to the full 2016 World Rallycross Championship with Peugeot’s works Peugeot Hansen operation.

Loeb was already part of the Peugeot fold via his deal with its Dakar Rally program, and will now join Timmy Hansen to race a 208 WRX Supercar all year. He will go up against long-time WRC rival and 2014/15 WRX champion Petter Solberg.

“I’m very excited by this opportunity to participate in the full rallycross championship for the first time,” said Loeb. “Over the years I have been fortunate to participate in some truly amazing racing, but rallycross – with the sheer power and the competitiveness of the Peugeot 208 WRX, plus the intense nature of the competition – will be something very special.

“The car and the strategy for this type of racing is completely new to me, so I have a lot to learn, but I hope I can be competitive pretty soon.”

Loeb previously made a one-off rallycross appearance at the French round of the European series in 2013, where he reached the semi-finals. He has raced in the World Touring Car Championship for his full-time program since retiring from the WRC, but lost his Citroen seat at the end of last year.

The Peugeot team was Solberg’s main opposition in the 2015 championship, with Hansen finishing the year as runner-up.

“Last season we proved that we had the potential to perform in the series with Timmy Hansen and Davy Jeanney,” team principal and 14-time European champion Kenneth Hansen said. “By adding Sebastien Loeb to the equation, we will be even stronger.

“Rallycross is one of the hardest disciplines to dominate, with no room for mistakes. Loeb has incredible capacity to adapt and I have no doubt that he will be a strong challenger.”

With Loeb joining the lead Peugeot Hansen team, Jeanney will move across to the sister Peugeot Hansen Academy squad to join RX Lites champion Kevin Hansen. Jeanney will contest the full world calendar, while the younger Hansen focuses on the European series alongside selected world appearances.