Rally driver Sébastien Loeb continues his quest for victory in the Dakar Rally, switches his navigational partner.
Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin Part Ways, New Pairings Formed Ahead of Dakar
After a series of unsuccessful races together, Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin have parted ways as Loeb's co-pilot in the World Rally-Raid Championship. The decision to change pairings was supported by Dacia Team Principal Tiphanie Isnard, who believes that the synergy between driver and navigator is crucial and sometimes a change can reveal new dynamics.
Loeb and Lurquin's last rally-raid race together was at the Dakar Rally in January 2023. In Abu Dhabi, they had no luck, and Loeb believes that he may have missed a crucial navigation note, which could have prevented an accident that cost them a podium finish.
Loeb, who is still chasing his first victory in the Dakar, having participated nine times with five podium finishes, has expressed interest in working with another co-pilot to gain new insights. The team believes that the new pairings will help them approach the next stages with even more determination and ambition.
Édouard Boulanger, co-pilot of Nasser Al-Attiyah in the last Dakar, has joined Loeb's team, piloting the Sandrider. Boulanger and Loeb will compete in the upcoming stages of the World Rally-Raid Championship. Meanwhile, Fabian Lurquin will team up with Al-Attiyah from the Portuguese round of the championship next week.
Loeb and Lurquin will compete in two upcoming races, in Portugal and Morocco, to find their rhythm before the Dakar. The new pairing of Boulanger and Loeb brings energy, stability, and confidence to the team, according to Isnard.
The team had everything they needed for Lurquin and Loeb to work together, but it didn't. The change in co-pilots might have helped Loeb avoid navigation errors that led to a podium loss in the Dakar. South Africa allowed Loeb and Lurquin to start anew, but the opportunity to try a new pairing presented itself.
The new pairings are a fresh start for both teams, and they are eager to compete in the upcoming races. Loeb is determined to finally achieve his first victory in the Dakar, and the new pairing with Boulanger gives him hope for a successful run.
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