– 17th place for the father-daughter duo
– Successful training and valuable experience gained for Dakar
The Rallye du Maroc was not only the conclusion of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, but also one of the last major tests before the Dakar adventure. For Lionel and Lucie Baud, it was the perfect opportunity to hone their skills under real competitive conditions! In the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d, the father-daughter team achieved a strong 17th place overall.
Together through dust, stone and sand
Morocco showed off all its diversity: rough, stony tracks, endless sand fields and majestic dunes. For Lionel and Lucie, this meant five days of concentration, endurance and perfect teamwork. Despite a setback on the first stage – 44th place – they did not let themselves be discouraged. With fighting spirit and determination, they worked their way forward stage by stage, reaching 20th place on the third day – just one position behind the reigning Dakar winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi!
A special highlight: Lucie Baud was one of the few co-drivers who did not receive any penalty time for missed waypoints during the entire rally.
There was also a first: for the first time, a Power Special Stage was held on the final day – a 31-kilometre sprint in which the best drivers could earn extra points for the FIA overall standings. For Lionel and Lucie, it was a strong finish to an intense rally. With a flawless drive, they ultimately secured 17th place – a result that inspires pride and anticipation.
Looking ahead: focus on Dakar!
For the X-raid team, the critical phase of Dakar preparation is now beginning. At the end of November, they will head to the port of Barcelona – from there, the journey to the next big adventure begins: the 2026 Dakar Rally. Until then, there are still a few Bajas on the programme.
Statement
Lionel Baud (MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): « We are very happy with our race because we are making progress in many areas. Lucie was absolutely perfect with the navigation and we were able to overcome our minor problems in the special stages. The terrain was very demanding and rough, but the car held up perfectly. We took the opportunity to work on our vehicle settings for the next Dakar. The team did a great job and we are getting faster and faster. »
Overall standings
1. S. Loeb / E. Boulanger – Dacia – 15h 05m 40s
2. L. Moraes / A. Monleon – Toyota – 15h 13m 23s
3. N. Al-Attiyah / F. Lurquin – Dacia – 15h 14m 36s
4. N. Roma 7 A. Haro – Ford – 15h 17m 55s
5. J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro – Toyota – 15h 17m 59s…
17. L. Baud / L. Baud – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 16h 51m 30s