After securing the 2016 and 2017 titles in the World Touring Car Championship Trophy category, capped with a third place finish overall in the WTCC Drivers' Championship last year.

Sébastien Loeb Racing has decided to extend its involvement at the highest level of international touring car racing by joining the newly-launched FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR).

Drawing upon its vast experience around the world's most famous racetracks, the French team has selected the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, the latest charger developed by Volkswagen Motorsport and the 2017 TCR International Series title-winning car, for this year's WTCR assault.

Sébastien Loeb Racing has entrusted its 350bhp front-wheel drive machines to a pair of top touring car talents in Rob Huff and Mehdi Bennani, who placed second and third respectively in last year's WTCC Trophy classification.

The overall 2012 WTCC Drivers' Champion, Huff joins the Alsace-based squad with high targets.

The English star is also renowned for his nine wins at the iconic Macau street circuit, which is set to play host to the 2018 WTCR season finale. Having flown the Sébastien Loeb Racing flag since 2015, team-mate Bennani has built up an impressive resumé to emerge at the forefront of the field and is primed to feature among the title contenders with the Golf GTI TCR.

Once again, the nine-time WRC champion's team has put together the best technical and sporting package in a bid to extend the string of world title successes they have claimed since 2016.