Loeb-Boulanger (Dacia) on the provisional podium in Portugal: “We’ll see where it takes us”

Responsible for opening the 4th special stage of the Rally-Raid Portugal 2025 between Badajoz (Spain) and Lisbon (Portugal), Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger were not idle. The Dacia Sandriders duo set the second fastest time, just two minutes behind their teammates Al-Attiyah and Lurquin. 

 

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This day allows the French duo to consolidate their 3rd position in the general classification, 10'42 behind the leaders Moraes-Monleon (Toyota). "The results are positive because our position on the road was difficult due to the sweeping, indicates Sébastien Loeb. We have a beautiful day, and then Nasser (Al-Attiyah) wins today, it's a great result for the team!”

Changing weather

The delay conceded to the leading Toyota dampens Sébastien Loeb's expectations for the final stage, which is "only" 103 km long around the Portuguese capital. "It will be impossible to make up 10 minutes in such a short distance. After that, we'll just have to try to put in a good stage. The terrain will remain tricky, especially since the weather has changed." (rain and gusts of wind have replaced the heatwave. Editor's note). We'll see how the conditions are tomorrow. We'll try to do our best, we'll see where it takes us."

His new navigator, Édouard Boulanger, explains how this time was obtained. "Seb drove like a beast, as always with him! There were no problems, we couldn't have done better given our starting position. Seb had less grip, so we swept more than the other cars behind us. Here, it's not the desert, so the navigation isn't the same as in other W2RC events. Whether you start in the lead or 16th, the navigation is the same for everyone."

ALSO READ > Portugal – Stage 4: Loeb-Boulanger on the podium in the general classification, the stage for Al-Attiyah-Lurquin