FIA to assess whether Loeb can continue Dakar after crash

The FIA will carry out a thorough review of Sebastien Loeb’s Dacia to determine whether he can take part in the remainder of the Dakar Rally.

Loeb’s Dacia Sandrider landed upside down in the sand following a rollover at the start of Tuesday’s Stage 3 between Bisha and Al Henakiyah.

The nine-time World Rally Champion was able to set off again after removing part of the damaged bodywork, but lost an hour by the time he reached the finish line in his hobbled car.

Now, Autosport has learned that the FIA will complete an evaluation to assess the damage and decide whether it is safe for him to continue the rally.

Reigning champion Carlos Sainz Sr had already been forced out of this year’s event after he rolled over his Ford Raptor on Stage 2 and damaged the roll cage.

In that case, the FIA had concluded that the deformation was beyond the limit set in the regulations and the structure may not be safe enough to protect the driver and the co-driver inside the cabin in case of a repeat accident.

#219 The Dacia Sandriders Dacia: Sebastien Loeb, Fabian Lurquin

Photo by: A.S.O.

Laia Sanz’s streak of Dakar finishes also ended with mechanical problems and a crash in her Century 4x4. One of the bars on her car's roll cage was damaged and displaced by just two millimetres, forcing her premature departure from the event.

Loeb’s Stage 3 troubles have dealt another blow to Dacia in its maiden Dakar outing, with Cristina Gutierrez already having to retire from the 48-hour Stage 2 due to a broken steering rack. She was eventually able to resume the rally after getting the necessary repairs done but is out of contention for a top 10 spot. 

Five-time Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah is now the only realistic contender for the Renault Groupe brand, with the Qatari driver holding second place behind Toyota’s Henk Lategan going Stage 4 on Wednesday.