Sébastien Loeb, 2nd in the 2023 Dakar: “It was unplayable”

The Dakar still eludes Sébastien Loeb. The Frenchman once again finished on the podium of the event, for the fourth time in seven participations, but the Alsatian has not yet had the honors of the highest step. This final second place behind Nasser al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel (Toyota Gazoo Racing) seems unexpected after suffering three punctures during the second stage. Misfortunes which then relegated the Loeb-Lurquin duo to 31st place in the general classification, more than 1 hour 20 minutes from the lead.

« After the start of rally that we had, we couldn't hope for better than this, reacted Sébastien Loeb at the end of the 14th and final stage, 136 km long. Anyway, on a regular basis, Nasser was unplayable, he had a great race, he made no mistakes. We have to be content with what we have, we made a good comeback, a great second part of the rally, it's not so bad. »

A delay that Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin worked to make up for, by attacking on each special stage. A frantic pace which allowed the Bahrain Raid Sainz and Peterhansel). By bagging seven stage victories, including six in a row, the Franco-Belgian duo even set a new record in the legend of the most legendary rally-raid, surpassing none other than Ari Vatanen.

ALSO READ > Dakar 2023, Stage 13 – Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin set a record

« We had virtually no problems with the car itself, just the first week's punctures which were really unlucky as we were trying to take it easy », recalls the Alsatian who appreciated his comeback.

« These punctures cost us more than two hours, so finishing second here today (Sunday) is very good considering our position, develops the person concerned. We had a very good second part of the rally and we enjoyed it; we had fun, the car was so good it was awesome. We could still fight for something and come back to second place.

We took good points for the championship, we set a new Dakar record with six stage wins in a row, so I'm still happy. Of course I would have preferred to win because it's my third second place, but not everyone finishes on this kind of rally... » 

The crossing of the Empty Quarter desert was notably carried out like crazy by the world rally-raid vice-champions (W2RC). “ Our pace in the dunes was almost surprising. Winning all the stages in the Empty Quarter, even being first on the road, is a strong point for the future for Fabian, me and the team. I have improved my driving since Abu Dhabi (last year), so with this rally I hope we can get back into a good rhythm. »

Comments collected by Medhi Casaurang-Vergez

ALSO READ > Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel win the 2023 Dakar