Sebastien Loeb to compete in Monte Carlo Rally

PARIS (AP) Nine-time rally world champion Sebastien Loeb will compete in the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally in January.

The Frenchman, who has won the race seven times and ended his full-time rally career in 2012, will drive a Citroen DS 3 WRC. He does not plan to take part to the whole series, instead focusing on his World Touring Car Championship career.

Loeb will be teaming up with longtime co-driver Daniel Elena from Jan. 22-25.

He says ''this is obviously a big personal challenge because I haven't been competing in the discipline for more than a year.''