Rally of Morocco – Sébastien Loeb: “The goal is to have a trouble-free rally”

No time to breathe for Sébastien LoebThe Dacia Sandriders driver returns to the cockpit of his 4x4 in Fez (Morocco), just two weeks after leaving it on the banks of the Tagus, in the suburbs of Lisbon at the end of the Rally-Raid Portugal. The Frenchman, third in this event, approaches the Rally from Morocco with envy "It might actually be easier to get back in the car after a two-week break, rather than after a three-month wait between South Africa and Portugal! We'll definitely get back into the swing of things more quickly. It's good to get back into the swing of things quickly."

After finishing second in the 2024 Rally of Morocco in his first outing with Dacia, Sébastien Loeb returns to North African soil with a smile. The start of his partnership with Édouard Boulanger (new co-driver in place of Fabian Lurquin, who left for Nasser Al-Attiyah) gave him satisfaction at the Rally-Raid Portugal. The reading of the complex notes, the pace of information, and the understanding between the two men are fluid. Now all that remains is to deepen the relationship in the vast desert expanses around Erfoud.

“This will be my first experience on a suitable sailing ground with Édouard, analyzes Sébastien Loeb. It will be useful to get into the rhythm of this area, in order to know where we are before the Dakar. Before thinking about any results, we will have to work well with Édouard. This will involve good navigation, not making any driving errors, hoping that the car is reliable, etc.

If at the world rally-raid championship (W2RC), Sébastien Loeb no longer has any ambitions (7th with 71 points), the Tricolore can still help his navigator Édouard Boulanger to obtain a second crown in the Co-drivers' classification. The Frenchman has 145 points, against 131 for Brett Cummings (2nd). However, the other Dacia Sandrider driven by Nasser Al-Attiyah (140 points) is struggling with the Toyota of Henk Lategan (131 points) and Lucas Moraes (130 points) for the Drivers’ crown!

This data will inevitably come into play throughout the Rally of Morocco. So, what will be the priority? Helping Édouard Boulanger, aiming for victory, or lending a hand to Nasser Al-Attiyah? "It will depend on how the race unfolds., says LoebIf I'm in front of Nasser and I have to give him my place so that he can win the title, it will be my role to let him pass, of course. Unless Edward wins the title in the same conditions; in that case, I won't let him pass, because Edward is the leader in the car. (Laughs). More seriously, there's no point in making grand plans before the start! The goal is to have a trouble-free rally."

The Rally of Morocco begins on Sunday, October 12, with a 19-kilometer prologue around Fez, before heading to Erfoud, where the 5 stages will take place.

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