The Dacia Sandriders are back where their FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) journey began, returning to Morocco for the season-deciding Rallye du Maroc from 12–17 October 2025. A year on from a victorious debut in the North African desert, the team arrives with a clear focus: support Nasser Al-Attiyah in his pursuit of an unprecedented fourth consecutive Drivers’ crown.
Since their W2RC introduction, the Sandriders have left an indelible mark, securing 13 stage wins—including multiple 1-2 finishes—two outright rally victories, and three podiums. Fresh off a podium in Rally-Raid Portugal last month, the team is keen to carry that momentum into Morocco, where every stage will count toward the championship finale.
Al-Attiyah Eyes Historic Fourth Title
Al-Attiyah, alongside Belgian navigator Fabian Lurquin, heads into the Rallye du Maroc with a nine-point advantage in the Drivers’ standings. The Qatari has dominated the championship since its inception in 2022, and a strong performance in Morocco could seal an unmatched fourth consecutive title. In the Navigators’ race, Édouard Boulanger leads by 14 points, while the Sandriders aim to consolidate their position as runner-up in the Manufacturers’ classification.
Rallye du Maroc also serves as the ideal competitive preparation for the Dakar Rally in January, widely regarded as the toughest motorsport challenge in the world and the opening round of the 2026 W2RC season.
Full-Strength Line-Up
For the second rally in succession, the Dacia Sandriders are fielding a complete three-car line-up. Alongside Al-Attiyah and Lurquin, the team includes French legends Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger, and Spaniards Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno. These crews are not only competing for individual success but are also strategically tasked with supporting Al-Attiyah’s championship bid.
Recent form in Rally-Raid Portugal highlighted the team’s consistency: Loeb and Boulanger finished third overall, Al-Attiyah and Lurquin were fifth, and Gutiérrez and Moreno claimed seventh. While the crews bring experience of the Moroccan terrain, an all-new route this year ensures the rally remains a fresh challenge and a test of adaptability.
The Rallye du Maroc Challenge
The 2025 edition spans 2,299 kilometres, with 1,478 kilometres of competitive stages. The event begins with a 19-kilometre Prologue in Fes on 12 October before crews traverse south to Erfoud, an oasis town at the edge of the Sahara. From there, a 276-kilometre road section leads to Morocco’s eastern border, where a 300-kilometre special on the Rekkam Plateau tests both skill and endurance.
Subsequent stages feature timed distances ranging from 216 to 324 kilometres, with liaison sections under 100 kilometres, keeping the focus firmly on competitive performance. The rally culminates in a 33-kilometre Power Selective Section on 17 October, where the championship victor will be celebrated.
Team Focus and Determination
Tiphanie Isnard, Team Principal, reflected on the team’s preparations:
“After servicing the cars in Portugal, the team went straight to Morocco to prepare for this final round. Our main focus will be to support Nasser Al-Attiyah in his fight for the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship title. With strong rivals like Henk Lategan and Lucas Moraes in the fight, it promises to be a thrilling finale.”
Al-Attiyah himself remains focused and optimistic:
“Last year was very close but we won the championship. The good thing is that between all of us, there is a good spirit, and we can help each other as crews. I will do my best to win and take the title.”
Gutiérrez added:
“Morocco is very important for the season. It’s the last race of the championship, and we will work together as a team to try to help give Nasser the title.”
Loeb and Boulanger highlighted the challenge ahead:
“Morocco will be another kind of rally with more navigation—we will need to stay concentrated,” said Loeb.
“The organisers are always looking to make navigation more difficult. Morocco should be the hardest rally after Dakar—we have to be flexible and manage issues as they come,” added Boulanger.
The Dacia Sandriders Rallye du Maroc Line-Up
- #200: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Fabian Lurquin (BEL)
- #212: Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP) / Pablo Moreno (ESP)
- #219: Sébastien Loeb (FRA) / Édouard Boulanger (FRA)
With a 300-kilometre Stage 1 and a total of 480 kilometres of road sections on the opening day alone, Rallye du Maroc is not for the faint-hearted. As the championship finale unfolds, all eyes will be on the Dacia Sandriders as they push to secure glory and continue their remarkable story in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
