Sebastien Loeb Reveals Key Strategies For The 2022 Dakar Rally

JAKARTA - The 2022 Dakar Rally will start in Saudi Arabia on January 1. French racer Sebastien Loeb revealed the key for him to face the annual race organized by the Amaury Sport Organization.

The nine-time rally world champion will be making his sixth attempt at the world's most prestigious endurance rally event since he first entered the Dakar in 2016.

Loeb will be in Team BRX uniform for his second year, but this year he will not be accompanied by Daniel Elana, who helped him win all the WRC trophies and participated in 14 stages of Dakar.

Instead, veteran Belgian co-pilot Fabian Lurquin will be the navigator for Loeb, the two of whom were once on the team at Baja Aragon.

"I've been without a rally for a year," Loeb said, quoted by Antara from the official Dakar website, Thursday.

"We had tests, but maybe not as long as we wanted because we had problems.

"However, the car is doing very well and the feeling is very good with the new co-pilot," said the 2017 Dakar runner-up.

Loeb, who is still eyeing his first Dakar title, will seek to take advantage of the new regulations aimed at more leveling the level of competition among big names such as Stephane Peterhansel, Nasser Al-Attiyah, and Carlos Sainz.

"The Dakar is a complicated race and we have to find the right pace and stay calm. The most important thing is that we have a reliable car.

"In any case, we are quite prepared," said Loeb, who last year had to end his struggles after eight Dakar stages.

Taking place from January 1-14 in Saudi Arabia, this year's Dakar Rally consists of a prologue and 12 stages across the Saudi Arabian desert.

Competitors will cover a total distance of 8.375km, along 4.258km is a special stage.

The drivers will undergo a prologue, departing from Jeddah to Ha'il on January 1. While the last stage was held on January 14, taking the Bisha route to Jeddah.

Defending champion Peterhansel will look to add to his record 15 Dakar titles.

The racer nicknamed Mr. Dakar this year is involved in the development of Audi's electric car and will be testing the RS Q e-tron for the first time after last year he won with a Mini buggy car.