The opening round of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) from January 3-17 is a test of driver and machine without equal.
Taking place over sand dunes and rocky passes from the west to the east of Saudi Arabia, the upcoming Dakar Rally marks the start of The Dacia Sandriders’ 2025 W2RC title bid and follows its 1-2 finish on Rallye du Maroc, which served primarily as a Dakar Rally dress rehearsal.
After the Prologue stage on January 3, the 2025 Dakar Rally consists of 5145 timed kilometres across 12 days of intense competition. Starting in Bisha in the west of Saudi Arabia, the event ends in Shubaytah to the east via a rest day in Hail and an overnight halt in the capital Riyadh. Included in the itinerary is the 48H Chrono stage covering a punishing 971 competitive kilometres.
The Dacia Sandriders’ team principal Tiphanie Isnard is under no illusions in terms of the arduous challenge in store for the three-car squad.
“We’re about to take on what we can only describe as an extraordinary human challenge, but it’s one we’re determined to tackle with courage and belief given how hard we have worked to prepare,” Isnard said. “While it’s an arduous event with little respite during almost three intense weeks, we’re excited for what’s in store and we can’t wait to get started.
“Of course, we go to the event as winners following our victory on Rallye du Maroc. But that result will count for nothing if we underestimate the task we face or if we don’t stay focused throughout each stage.”
NASSER AL-ATTIYAH (QATAR), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“The target is victory and I am very confident this can be possible. We showed in Morocco how strong our Dacia Sandrider was but also how competitive we could be in tough conditions and how good our young team is. But with a tough route, particularly during the first week, we have to be clever, avoid taking unnecessary risks and stay concentrated. Two of my five Dakar wins have come in Saudi Arabia so I have a good idea of what we can expect, but this is a rally where you have to expect the unexpected each day for more than two weeks. It won’t be easy, but we will do everything we can to win.”
CRISTINA GUTIÉRREZ (SPAIN), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“My feelings before the Dakar are very strong. It has been an incredible year of learning, Pablo and I are like two little children, we feel that we have adapted very well to the Ultimate category and it has also made us bring out the best in ourselves. I feel very happy to be part of The Dacia Sandriders because I feel like I am part of a complete family. The atmosphere among the entire team is incredible and I think that we are going with great enthusiasm to do a good Dakar. We are aware that it is the first year we are all driving together, but we are also confident after the tests and Rallye du Maroc. I’m very excited for what is coming with The Dacia Sandriders.”
SÉBASTIEN LOEB (FRANCE), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“I’m really excited to kick off the Dakar with The Dacia Sandriders. We’ve worked hard to prepare for this race and now the excitement is truly building. Our goal is always to win, but we know how many critical factors must align for that to happen. It will be a tough Dakar and maybe we will have to manage our position more than we push to be able to win it. We will assess how things evolve day by day, but I’m hopeful that our experience will be a key advantage. We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got, and I know the team will do the same.”
THE DACIA SANDRIDERS DAKAR RALLY 2025 LINE-UP
#200: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Édouard Boulanger (FRA)
#212: Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP) / Pablo Moreno (ESP)
#219: Sébastien Loeb (FRA) / Fabian Lurquin (BEL)
