![01-20_Sebastian-Loeb[Citroen-Sport]](https://i0.wp.com/sportbettingnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/01-20_Sebastian-LoebCitroen-Sport.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb has enjoyed a remarkable career in motorsport, yet one major achievement still eludes him: victory in the Dakar Rally.
Loeb, 50, has competed in the legendary Dakar eight times and has reached the podium on five occasions. However, the win has so far slipped through his grasp. The French star has not given up, though, and remains determined to claim the iconic desert triumph.
Negotiations Underway
Spanish rally outlet Alnocorallyes reports that Loeb has already begun negotiations with several teams regarding next season’s Dakar campaign. He is currently driving for Dacia through the end of this year, but his future beyond that remains open.
According to the report, Loeb has held discussions with both Toyota Gazoo Racing and the British outfit M-Sport.
Strong Connections Behind the Scenes
Loeb has an established relationship with M-Sport team principal Malcolm Wilson, with whom he shares a strong rapport built over years at the top of the rally world.
Toyota’s situation is particularly intriguing. The team’s recently appointed boss Yves Matton knows Loeb well from their time in the World Rally Championship. Insiders believe Toyota is prepared to make a significant investment to secure a driver of Loeb’s caliber and experience.
The Final Great Challenge?
Loeb’s career is already among the most decorated in rally history. He has nine world titles, dozens of rally victories, and achievements across multiple motorsport disciplines. Yet a Dakar victory would represent the crowning jewel — the one accomplishment missing from his extraordinary résumé.
The question now is whether the rally legend will be seen behind the wheel of a Toyota next year, fighting for the final great dream of his career. Negotiations are ongoing — and the rally world is watching closely.
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