Dacia scores a historic double in the Rally of Morocco

After five days of competition, the Dacia Sandriders achieved a spectacular double on their debut in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2024 held in Morocco from 6 to 11 October. 

‘This victory, the fruit of rigorous preparation and exceptional collective performance, also highlights the remarkable performance of the Dacia Sandriders, which excels in extreme conditions to achieve optimum performance,’ said Mohamed Bachiri, Renault Morocco Group Director. 

After 2,468 kilometres, 1,512 of which are timed, divided into five stages, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger became the winning pair. Leading the general standings from the end of the first stage, the Dacia drivers remained in first place throughout the competition. 

With only five training sessions, the Dacia Sandriders became the Rally du Maroc champions who needed the fewest races to claim victory. 

Dacia's dominance in the championship has been unquestionable, winning three of the five stages. With the win, Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah became a three-time world champion and won his seventh Rally of Morocco title. 

‘Winning the Rally of Morocco for the seventh time and becoming a triple world champion is an incredible feeling. Winning for the first time with Dacia also makes this victory even more special,’ said Dacia Sandriders driver Nasser Al-Attiyah. 

Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin won the longest stage of the rally, covering 325 kilometres between Zagora and Mengoub Bouarfa. They successfully completed the rally by winning the fifth stage. Loeb moved from fourth to second on the final stage, achieving a historic double for the Renault Group team. 

‘Finishing first and second is a great result for the team,’ said Sébastien Loeb, French Dacia Sandriders driver. 

The Spanish team, comprising Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno, despite suffering problems in two stages that kept them out of the championship fight, achieved a creditable seventh place in the final stage that will help Dacia's technical team to gather data for future competitions. 

‘I am very proud of the team. It was a colossal effort by a lot of people. To finish first and second with Nasser and Seb, and Cristina who put in a great performance, is incredible,’ said Tiphanie Isnard, Dacia Sandriders team manager. 

Next stop: Saudi Arabia

After an uncontested victory, the Dacia Sandriders are now preparing before heading to the Middle East, where they will face their biggest challenge yet: the 2025 Rally in Saudi Arabia from 3 to 17 January.