P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Starting January 3, the Dakar Rally gets underway. Sebastien Loeb is one of the favourites and sheds some light on his strategy in an interview with RacingNews365.
The Dakar Rally is set to kick off once again in the desert of Saudi Arabia, promising a challenging battle of attrition with some well-known obstacles ahead. This year, the grueling 48-hour marathon stage will shake things up early on, potentially creating significant gaps among competitors. Despite this, Sebastien Loeb remains a favorite for the Dacia team, having won the two-day stage last year. In an interview with RacingNews365, Loeb emphasized the importance of driving smart and avoiding unnecessary risks in the tough opening stages. One major change this year is the separation of routes for motorcycles and cars in certain stages, which could impact navigation strategies and level the playing field. Despite the challenges, Loeb feels confident with his experienced navigator Fabian Lurquin and a strong team lineup, including the likes of Carlos Sainz Sr. and Cristina Gutierrez, aiming for success in the demanding rally.