Romanian carmaker Dacia confirmed on Monday, July 3, that, from 2025, it would compete as a manufacturer in the World Rally-Raid Championship, culminating with its participation in the Dakar Rally. Its race car will run on synthetic test fuel supplied by Aramco, a world leader in the energy and chemicals sector.

"Dacia and Dakar are a perfect match! Not only is this a test of Dacia's true robustness, it is a showing of our commitment to low-carbon mobility. We are very excited to take part in Dakar with synthetic fuel technology. Dacia, alongside the best team and drivers in the game, are serious contenders for the rally," said Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot, quoted in the press release.

Aramco's synthetic fuel solutions are produced by combining renewable hydrogen with captured CO2, resulting in a lower-carbon, drop-in fuel compatible with today's engines.

Before taking up the challenge of the 2025 season, Dacia prototypes will be put to the test as of 2024 at the Rallye du Maroc.

Nine-time French rally world champion Sébastien Loeb and Spanish rally driver Cristina Gutiérrez Herrero will officially race for Dacia starting next year, the company announced.

Cristina Gutierrez Herrero became the first Spanish woman in the car category to finish the Dakar Rally in 2017. Aged 31, she participated in seven Dakar Rallies between 2017 and 2023. Plus, she has also been the all-terrain rally champion (women's category) in Spain since 2012.

Sébastien Loeb, 49, won the World Rally Championship nine times in a row from 2004 to 2012. He is one of motorsport's most successful drivers and is often considered the greatest rally driver of all time, Dacia said. Loeb has taken part in Dakar since 2016.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Media.dacia.com)