Dacia Sandriders Triumph with 1-2 Finish at Rallye du Maroc: Paving the Way for Dakar 2025
The Dacia Sandriders have celebrated a stunning 1-2 finish at the Rallye du Maroc after five days of intense competition across nearly 2,500 kilometres of challenging terrain.
The event marked the new team's successful debut with eco-friendly Dacia Sandrider vehicles, culminating in a prominent victory in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
More importantly, the Rallye du Maroc proved to be ideal preparation for the upcoming Dakar Rally, the most demanding international motorsport calendar event the team will tackle next.
Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger led the rally, clinching the opening stage and securing the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship titles for driver and co-driver 2024. This victory brings Al-Attiyah's world championship tally to three, and his Rallye du Maroc wins to seven.
On the longest stage of 325 kilometres from Zagora to Mengoub, Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin propelled the Dacia Sandriders to a triumphant Friday, finishing second overall and cementing a decisive 1-2 team finish.
Meanwhile, Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno overcame early challenges to finish seventh in the final stage, showcasing resilience across the rigorous off-road sections.
With three stage wins and a top-two podium finish, the Dacia Sandriders demonstrated exceptional performance and gathered vital data for future competitions.
As they look ahead to the Dakar 2025, scheduled for 3 – 17 January in Saudi Arabia, the team has a busy preparation period ahead. Tiphanie Isnard, the team principal, expressed immense pride in the team's effort, highlighting the challenges of getting three cars ready for the start of the Rallye du Maroc and the essential groundwork laid for Dakar.
Nasser Al-Attiyah celebrated the win as a milestone for himself and Dacia, noting the significance of developing the new Dacia Sandrider and gathering valuable insights for the upcoming Dakar challenge.
Cristina Gutiérrez remarked on the importance of the team’s collective effort, which secured their top finishes. At the same time, Sébastien Loeb reflected on overcoming early setbacks to deliver strong performances in subsequent stages, proving the team's readiness for Dakar.
As the Dacia Sandriders gear up for their ultimate test at the Dakar Rally, the team remains grounded and focused on refining their strategies and enhancing their performance for one of motorsport's most gruelling challenges.
