Sebastien Loeb’s hopes of clinching a long-awaited victory at the Dakar Rally 2025 took a significant blow during the third stage of the event, which unfolded from Bisha to Al Henakiyah.
The Dakar Rally 2025, renowned for its grueling challenges and unpredictable outcomes, has already witnessed dramatic twists and turns as competitors navigate the harsh terrains of Saudi Arabia.
One of the most significant incidents occurred during the third stage of the rally, where nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb faced a setback that could jeopardize his ambitions for victory.
The legendary French driver, who has been a formidable competitor in the rally for years suffered a dramatic roll that cost him over an hour of precious time.
Loeb, who had previously battled through electrical issues that cost him valuable time in the preceding stages, began the third leg with renewed hope. He and his navigator, Fabian Lurquin, started in seventh position and aimed to recover lost ground.
However, just 12 kilometers into the 327-kilometer stage, disaster struck after Sebastien Loeb’s Dacia Sandrider hit a kicker on the course, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times before landing upright. Fortunately, both drivers emerged unscathed from the incident.
The aftermath of the incident was far from favorable for the 50-year old driver as the damage inflicted on his car was substantial, necessitating immediate repairs to continue in the race.
After a brief stop to assess the situation and make initial repairs, Loeb attempted to continue. However, he soon encountered further complications after the steering arm brokeâa likely consequence of the earlier rolloverâforcing him to halt once again.
This time, he received assistance from fellow competitors Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno Huete, who helped him replace the damaged part. Despite their efforts, Loeb struggled with overheating issues in his engine throughout the remainder of the stage.
Ultimately, Sebastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin were forced to complete the stage at a significantly reduced pace, finishing over an hour behind the leaders.
âWe arrived in a little ditch that was a danger, but I donât know if we were in the track or if the track was wrong, but it was not in the notes, and I got a little kick,â Loeb explained.
âIt was not too high, but the problem was that the car landed on the side and the car rolled. We had two tires off the rim, but we were able to change it quickly in five minutes.
âThen it was correct, we could continue and then suddenly the front steering arm broke and I think it was because of the roll, but we didnât have the spare part because we lost it in the roll.
âSo, we had to wait for Cristina to arrive so we could repair it and then we had a problem with the engine temperature, the engine was always too hot which reduced the power. So, we just tried to finish the stage which we did but we lost one hour.â
This setback marks yet another chapter in Sebastien Loeb’s tumultuous relationship with the Dakar Rally. Despite his extensive experience and past successes in various motorsport disciplinesâincluding nine World Rally Championship titlesâvictory in this endurance race has eluded him.
Having finished second three times in previous editions and being a perennial contender, his attempts have been marred by mechanical failures and navigational errors that have cost him dearly in terms of time and position.
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The Dakar Rally 2025 is particularly challenging due to its demanding course that spans approximately 7,805 kilometers across Saudi Arabia’s unforgiving terrain. Competitors must navigate through a variety of landscapes, including coastal plains and vast desert dunes.
The introduction of a two-day marathon stage adds another layer of complexity as drivers are required to bivouac without external assistance. This yearâs event is designed not only to test speed but also endurance and strategy.
As Sebastien Loeb’s misfortune unfolded, other competitors were also grappling with their own challenges. Notably, Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Saood Variawa emerged victorious in this stage after overcoming his own hurdles from a previous collision with teammate Giniel de Villiers.
Variawa’s resilience was evident as he set the fastest time for this leg of the rally, showcasing both skill and determination amidst adversity.
In contrast to Variawa’s success, Loeb’s misfortunes have left him trailing significantly behind in overall standings. As of now, he sits nearly 1 hour 15 minutes adrift from Toyota’s Henk Lategan, who is currently leading after demonstrating consistent performance throughout the stages.
