Eight-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb will not take part in all of the 2013 season, his Citroen team said Thursday.

The 38-year-old Frenchman, who is leading this season’s drivers’ standings in his bid for a ninth title, will likely race the opening Monte Carlo Rally before skipping “three or four” races, according to co-pilot Daniel Elena.

Citroen, aiming for an eighth constructors’ title, also announced that it had signed a sponsorship deal with Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi, the amount and length of which were not revealed.

Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen, recruited early this year by Citroen, will however race all of the 2013 season.