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Sebastien Loeb fears the Dakar Rally’s route changes will count against him in what he admits will be his “last chance” to win the event due to Peugeot’s pull-out.
Peugeot announced last year that the 2018 edition of the Dakar – which starts on January 6 – would be its last, having won the South American rally-raid classic in 2016 and 2017 with Stephane Peterhansel.
The French marque will enter four of its updated two-wheel-drive 3008DKR Maxi challengers for this year’s event, with Peterhansel again being joined by Carlos Sainz, Cyril Despres and Loeb.
“For me, it’s almost this year or never for the win,” said Loeb. “It’s my last chance to win it.
“There are many factors that come into play on the Dakar.
“It’s long and you can quickly lose everything, especially with the return of the dunes.
“It’s positive for the rally [to include more stages in the dunes] concerning the image that people have of rally-raid.
“On the other hand, it’s a type of terrain that I don’t have much experience of. It’s clearly a route that’s not in my favour.”
Loeb believes that his form in the previous two editions of the Dakar, which he has led both times before crashing in 2016 and suffering mechanical dramas last year, proves that he can be a genuine contender this time around.
“Last year, we saw that we had the capability to win,” he said. “Daniel [Elena, co-driver] did a good job with the navigation. It’s motivating.
“We know we can do it and we go with the objective to win, that’s for sure.
“As for the car, it’s more stable, nicer to drive, with better damping. It gives us more confidence and we can therefore attack a little more.”
Loeb’s main programme for 2018 is in the World Rallycross championship with Peugeot, while the Frenchman will also contest three WRC rounds for sister brand Citroen.