Sebastien Loeb is optimistic to secure a podium finish or even win the 2025 Dakar Rally with the Dacia Sandriders.
Having never clinched the coveted title despite five podium finishes, the legendary nine-time World Rally Champion is optimistic that this year may finally mark his triumph in one of motorsport’s most grueling tests.
The 2025 Dakar Rally kicks off with its first stage in Saudi Arabia, and Sebastien Loeb’s confidence stems from both the performance of the newly developed Dacia Sandrider T1+ car and his recent competitive experiences.
Loeb transitioned to the Dacia team after a stint with Bahrain Raid Xtreme, where he played a crucial role in developing the Sandrider. His recent performance in Morocco, where he finished second to teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah in the World Rally-Raid Championship finale, has bolstered his confidence.
He expressed satisfaction with the Sandrider’s capabilities during their initial outing, highlighting that they pushed their limits without holding back. This experience has set a solid foundation as they approach the Dakar.
“The feeling is good,” Sebastien Loeb told Dirtfish. “We didn’t hide anything and pushed 100% as if it were the Dakar. The pace was tight, but it gave us a clear picture of where we stand.
“Maybe some of the brands were not trying to show all of their performance in Morocco, but we didn’t hide anything, and we were pushing the maximum all rally.
“For sure, I was happy with the pace from my side, and we saw that the pace was very close with the others; it’s not like we were leading easily, it was always very tight with the others so it will be interesting.
“It was a real test for us to see where we were, and we wanted to push 100% as if it were the Dakar. The plan was to try and be as hard with the car as possible, to see if it was strong.
“It was strong but maybe not enough in some areas like the wishbones and stuff like that, but the good thing is we now have strong ones for the Dakar.”
The Dacia Sandrider is a remarkable feat of engineering, featuring a lightweight design powered by a three-liter V6 twin-turbo engine that produces 360bhp. This innovative vehicle was developed with input from Renault Group and Prodrive, aiming to showcase Dacia’s potential in extreme conditions.
The Sandrider’s design includes advanced features to combat high temperatures and ensure driver comfort, such as carbon-fiber bodywork that minimizes infrared absorption and an innovative seat attenuator system designed to absorb shocks during heavy impacts.
Despite these advancements, Sebastien Loeb acknowledges that challenges remain. During testing in Morocco, both he and teammate Cristina Gutiérrez faced suspension issues that have since been addressed by reinforcing critical components.
Additionally, both drivers experienced cockpit overheating, which they hope will not be as severe during the Dakar due to different environmental conditions.
“We cannot be 100% confident but from what we saw in Morocco, the signs are good,” Loeb remarked. “The team have continued to work on the car and find solutions.”
Consistency is key
Sebastien Loeb’s strategy for the 2025 Dakar Rally emphasizes consistency and avoiding major issues—a lesson learned from past experiences where mechanical failures or driving errors hindered his chances.
“To win the Dakar, it’s crucial to have a clean race for two weeks without significant troubles,” he explained. “The key is avoiding major problems. Nearly every time, I’ve faced issues—be it with the car, my driving, or co-driving.”
He also pointed out that Carlos Sainz’s successful 2024 campaign, which saw him win without taking any stage victories, underscores the importance of reliability over raw speed.
“You saw with Carlos last year, he won the rally without winning any stages, but at the end, he was very consistent,” he added. “So, it is like this that it works, and maybe you will need quite a bit of luck also because we have the 48-Hour stage on day two.
“We will have to face punctures as usual and there will be no motorbike lines either for some [split] stages in the dunes, so if you are the first car you will lose a lot of time I think; road order will be playing a big role.
“All of the things you need to put together and it is very difficult to predict at the moment and I don’t have the solution right now.”
Navigating the 2025 Dakar Rally
The 2025 edition of the Dakar promises to be particularly challenging due to its unique format changes. Notably, competitors will face a demanding 48-hour marathon stage early in the rally—a test of endurance that could significantly impact standings.
Sebastien Loeb is aware of this new dynamic but insists it will not alter his approach significantly. He plans to drive smartly while minimizing risks during this critical phase.
“Of course you know not to get into trouble during the marathon 48-hour stage,” Loeb says. “But we can’t really change anything except that you take a little less risk, especially on the first day.
“On the other hand, halfway through the rally you do know who is still competing and who lost everything in the first week. It’s going to be a tough opening. When I saw how the first week is put together, I knew we shouldn’t be too aggressive.
“At the same time, we saw in the last Dakar that the difference between the number one and two is not always very big. It’s important to drive smart, not to lose a lot of time and not to take too many risks.”
Moreover, this year’s rally introduces separate routes for motorcycles and cars in several stages, which adds another layer of complexity to navigation and strategy.
Sebastien Loeb anticipates that this change could create unpredictable outcomes as drivers adapt to varying terrain conditions without relying on established motorcycle tracks for guidance.
“That’s going to make a big difference from the past,” he added. “The first car could be slow if you compare it to the seven to 10 cars behind it, also depending on the terrain.
“It becomes more of a lottery, partly because we saw in the Rally of Morocco that it is close together in terms of speed of the different cars. The new rules make for an open rally, allowing anyone to potentially win. It’s different, but hopefully it will be interesting.”
In preparation for the 2025 Dakar Rally, Sebastien Loeb has been working closely with navigator Fabian Lurquin, and both have gained valuable experience together. Their collaborative approach will be critical as they tackle the diverse terrains presented by the Saudi Arabian landscape.
Loeb’s familiarity with Lurquin’s navigation style may provide them with an edge in making quick decisions during high-pressure situations.
Competition
As for his competitors, the 50-year old acknowledges that while Toyota has historically been strong in Dakar, he considers Al-Attiyah and Sainz as his primary rivals for overall victory.
Additionally, he has noted other potential threats from drivers like Mattias Ekström and various teams operating under different banners. The competition remains fierce and unpredictable; thus, maintaining focus and adaptability will be crucial for success.
“We know Toyota is normally strong with the cars, but I don’t know if the drivers can fight for the overall victory,” assessed Loeb.
“You never know, although I think Al-Attiyah and Sainz Sr. are my biggest competitors. Also Mattias Ekstrom is capable of great things.”
A podium finish at the 2025 Dakar Rally is the minimum target for Sebastien Loeb, although his eyes are on the big prize.
“A victory would be nice,” he continued. “A podium finish is always nice in the Dakar, but I already have a few behind my name.
“My main goal is victory, depending on how things go during two weeks. Sometimes you can be happy with a podium finish. That’s the minimum I hope for, but we’ll try to fight for victory.”
