The grueling 48-hour chrono stage of the Dakar Rally has thrown severe challenges at some of the event’s top contenders, with Dacia and Ford suffering significant blows to their victory hopes.
Sébastien Loeb’s Dakar Dreams Dashed Again
Sébastien Loeb and navigator Fabian Lurquin were well-positioned to challenge for victory, running second after strategically slowing in the opening stage to gain a better road position. However, a series of electrical issues struck Loeb’s Dacia Sandrider, forcing two unscheduled stops and costing the nine-time World Rally champion nearly 40 minutes.
Team principal Tiphanie Isnard explained the challenge of diagnosing and resolving such issues in the field, especially during the no-assistance 48-hour stage:
“We think we have identified an electronic issue, but it’s a tough diagnosis without telemetry or engineers on-site. Sébastien managed to get going again, which is the main thing.”
Teammate Cristina Gutiérrez also encountered her own technical problems earlier in the stage, losing over 30 minutes at the service area at the 166km mark. Gutiérrez has now assumed a supporting role, assisting Loeb to ensure both cars complete the stage.
“Cristina is in a learning phase, but she’s doing a fantastic job. For now, her priority is to act as Séb’s wingman,” Isnard added.
With no official assistance trucks allowed at the bivouacs, the drivers are left to manage their own repairs overnight.
Carlos Sainz Rolls His Ford Raptor
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, chasing a fifth Dakar Rally victory, suffered a major setback when his M-Sport Ford Raptor rolled during a sandy section near the 327km mark. While neither Sainz nor navigator Lucas Cruz was injured, the car sustained significant rear-end damage.
Sainz lost 40 minutes after being tipped onto the roof, requiring teammate Mitch Guthrie Jr. to stop and assist in righting the vehicle. Despite the setback, Sainz managed to continue, trailing the stage leader Yazeed Al Rajhi by 32 minutes in the overall classification and 42 minutes on the stage.
Challenges of the 48-Hour Stage
The 48-hour stage is one of the toughest on the Dakar calendar, spanning nearly 1000km with no outside assistance permitted. Competitors must rely on their wits, tools, and teamwork to address any mechanical issues. Assistance trucks follow the stage but only start nearly two hours after the main competitors, further increasing the pressure.
Current Standings and Outlook
- Yazeed Al Rajhi is the current stage leader, benefiting from a smoother run and strategic positioning.
- Loeb and Sainz are now effectively out of contention for overall victory, barring miraculous recoveries.
- Nasser Al-Attiyah, who intentionally slowed in the opening stage, remains a strong contender as he fights for his fifth Dakar win.
The focus for Dacia and Ford will now shift to damage control, ensuring their cars finish the grueling stage while hoping for opportunities to regain lost ground in the days ahead.
