Sebastien Loeb has taken a one point lead in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) after taking third place on the final stage of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (ADDC). Driving the Prodrive Hunter which runs on Prodrive EcoPower, a sustainable fuel made from agricultural waste, Loeb finished 6th overall of the W2RC competitors putting him on 112 points after two rounds one point ahead of his nearest rival Nasser Al Attiyah.
It was Loeb and co-driver Fabian Lurquin’s determination to complete stage one after damaging the drivetrain and having to enact repairs, that ensured they finished so high up the W2RC classification for the ADDC to secure the championship lead.
Gus Beteli, BRX team principal, said: “After the issues on stage one, we are very happy to have come away from the Desert Challenge in the championship lead. It is testament to Seb and Fabian that they never gave up and got the end of the first stage, otherwise we would be well behind Nasser in the championship. The terrain on the next three rounds should suit Seb, so I think we are still on course for our ambition of winning the drivers’ title.”
Prodrive EcoPower reduces CO2 emissions by 80% compared to petrol and saved around two tonnes of the greenhouse gas over the course of the event. The team will continue to use the fuel throughout the WRRC to demonstrate that such fuels can help fight climate change and can be used in all forms of road transport.