The nine-time WRC champion has shifted his focus to cross-country rallying in recent years. For 2025, Loeb joined Dacia’s new factory programme, which debuted in the world championship this season.
At last weekend’s South African Safari Rally, Loeb finished second overall, behind local Toyota driver Henk Lategan.
However, a mistake on the fourth stage proved costly. According to the event stewards, Loeb “intentionally damaged the fence of a local farm” while attempting to find the route to the next waypoint. As a penalty, he was fined €5,000.
The decision was based on footage from the crew’s onboard camera.
“During the hearing the crew members admitted the fact and apologised. They stated that they missed the route to the waypoint, and the NAV-GPS was showing the direction to the waypoint. The navigator indicated the direction according to the NAV-GPS, and the driver followed the instructions automatically, hitting the fence on the way,” the stewards’ report stated.
“The crew stated being really sorry for this incident and will agree with the organiser the way to compensate the damaged fence. Team principal also apologised for the incident.”
Despite the incident, the South Africa event marked Loeb’s first finish of the 2025 W2RC season in the Dacia. His teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah currently leads the championship standings after three rounds, with Loeb sitting ninth overall.
The next round of the World Rally-Raid Championship will take place in Portugal in September.
