The world’s most successful ever rally driver will race at Lydden Hill this spring when the FIA World Rallycross Championship comes to the county.

Frenchman Sebastien Loeb will compete against fellow former world rally champion Petter Solberg at the one-mile circuit in late May.

Loeb, 42, excelled as a gymnast before turning his attention to motorsport in 1995, retiring from full-time competition in 2013 with nine consecutive drivers’ titles and 78 wins.

He will race a Peugeot 208 in the Supercar class at Lydden for the Peugeot-Hansen team.

Loeb said: “I’m excited by this opportunity to participate in the full FIA World Rallycross Championship for the first time.

“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..." - Sebastien Loeb

“Over the years I have been fortunate to participate in some truly amazing racing but rallycross – with the sheer power and the competiveness of the Peugeot 208 WRX plus the intense nature of the competition – will be something 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 will partner Timmy Hansen at the Peugeot squad this year, which will be supported by an academy team of Davy Jeanney and Timmy’s younger brother Kevin.

Team principal Kenneth Hansen – father to the Hansen brothers – added: “Last season we proved that we had the potential to perform in the series with Timmy Hansen and Davy Jeanney.

“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.”

Loeb will come to Kent when the FIA World Rallycross Championship round is held on May 28-29.