Dacia Sandriders Secure Gutiérrez & Moreno to 2027 Dakar Rally
The Dacia Sandriders have secured driver Cristina Gutiérrez and navigator Pablo Moreno through the 2027 Dakar Rally, bolstering their assault on the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. The renewed partnership arrives on the back of the crew’s third W2RC podium from four events—and their second this season—earned on South Africa’s Safari Rally.
The new deal covers the 2026 Dakar Rally, two further W2RC rounds that year, including the Rallye du Maroc, and the 2027 edition of Dakar, underlining the team’s long-term commitment to sustained success.
Tiphanie Isnard, team principal, said: “All of us at The Dacia Sandriders are delighted that we will continue our collaboration with Cristina and Pablo. It’s the logical and natural continuity of the work they have done in the races and development. As a crew, they are performing very well and always inspire the team because they never give up and always work so hard. They have played a crucial role in fostering team spirit among other crews and the entire team, as well as providing assistance and support to everyone whenever possible. They are still in a progressive phase of their careers, but it’s a privilege that we will continue to support their progression, which is already very positive.”
Cristina Gutiérrez added: “To be able to extend our contracts with The Dacia Sandriders is one of the biggest moments of my career, just like it was when I first signed for the team. Having the opportunity to continue with The Dacia Sandriders gives us a great feeling because the team instils a lot of confidence in us to develop and improve. We are thrilled to be part of a team that includes two legends of the sport, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb, and we will strive to do our best, as always. We aim to make history with Dacia by supporting the team in achieving their dream of winning the Dakar. It’s also our dream, so we will be very focused on this programme with this special team.”
Pablo Moreno said: “It’s super news for us to be able to continue the adventure with The Dacia Sandriders, a team that feels like a family. It was a dream for us to join the team, and continuing to work on the project together means a great deal to us. We will bring everything we can to the project. Certainly, our goal is to win the Dakar Rally with the Dacia Sandriders. We will give our very best to try to reach that goal.”
Gutiérrez and Moreno achieved four top-ten stage results on their debut Dakar in the T1+ category, highlighted by a fifth-place finish on Stage 1 and a sixth-place finish on Stage 10. After an early setback on Stage 2, they shifted their focus to support their teammates, repeatedly assisting fellow crews and strengthening the collective effort.
Their teamwork proved vital on Stage 4 when they helped Nasser Al-Attiyah and Édouard Boulanger continue after suspension damage, then pitched in again at the AlUla overnight halt. With outside assistance barred during the Marathon Stage, mechanic-trained Moreno worked with the T5 crew to swap both cars’ gearboxes for Stage 5. Earlier, the Spaniards had provided Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin with spares and a replacement tyre after a Stage 3 roll and solved an electrical issue on Stage 2.
Next for the Spanish duo is the BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal, the fourth round of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, taking place from September 22 to 28. They will steer the Dacia Sandrider sporting number 212, aiming to add more podiums to the squad’s growing tally and keep their Dakar dream firmly in sight.
