After three stages, Dacia dominates the debates in Abu Dhabi: "Keep this advantage until the end of the rally"

So far, so good for Dacia. The Romanian manufacturer is dominating the proceedings in the Emirati desert, in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. More than a month after a complicated Dakar, with the premature elimination of Sébastien Loeb and a meager 4th place for Nasser Al-Attiyah, the Sandriers team is on the rise again this week and on the first three stages, the situation is looking good. The two Dacia drivers are in good shape and mastering their subject: Sébastien Loeb and Nasser Al-Attiyah both won a stage victory: 2nd stage for Loeb on Monday, The 3rd stage for Al-Attiyah this Tuesday.

W @AlAttiyahN & Edouard Boulanger complete Stage 3 with the fastest time, @SebastienLoeb and @FabianLurquin finished 6th of the stage after a 2 min penalty for exceeding the speed limit zone make them lose one position. They are now 3rd of the overall classification, 2m46s… pic.twitter.com/MEeVAfAKW7

— Prodrive (@prodrive) February 25, 2025

Reliability and performance at the rendezvous at Dacia

In the general classification, the two Dacia representatives are ideally placed after the third of the five stages planned for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Nasser Al-Attiyah is in the lead with a 49-second lead over his closest pursuer, Lucas Moraes (Toyota). Sébastien Loeb is third, 2'46 behind his teammate, a gap that has widened due to a two-minute penalty imposed by the stewards for speeding of the French driver. Apart from this mishap, Dacia has so far had a faultless performance. Reliability and performance are there, and both drivers have lost very little time despite disadvantageous starting positions.

"It was a good day, especially since we were leading the way on this marathon stage. (no assistance between Stage 3 and 4, Editor's note.). It's always a bit stressful when the car that bivouacs in the morning before these big stages, says Tiphanie Isnard, Dacia Team Principal, reassured about her drivers' performances one month after the disillusionment of the Dakar. We didn't have any technical mishaps, so that's very good. Very good driving from Seb [Loeb], he came back very strong but we had no doubts about that. Nasser also did a fantastic job. We are in the lead now, we have to keep this advantage until the end of the race. rally. It's also good that the team can enjoy it and have a quieter day."

Now, there are only two special stages left – including Stage 4, the longest of this event with 300 kilometres on the programme – before the finish of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. For Dacia, a victory in the United Arab Emirates would be a great revenge after a painful Dakar. After having achieved the double during its first rally-raid performance at the Rallye du Maroc in 2024, can the Romanian manufacturer repeat this feat on Thursday in Abu Dhabi with Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb? At the end of Stage 3, only Lucas Moraes seems able to spoil the party…

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