Dakar 2026 // SS8: Seventh place for De Mévius in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0i
01/12/2026
- Baud family finishes in 25th position
- Crews face second marathon stage tomorrow
On the eighth stage around Wadi Ad Dawasir, Guillaume de Mévius and Mathieu Baumel made excellent use of their strong starting position and secured seventh place in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0i. They finished just about two minutes behind the stage winner. Their teammates Lionel and Lucie Baud completed the special stage in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d in 25th place, allowing them to continue gaining positions in the overall classification. The two crews Maria Gameiro / Rosa Romero and Rebecca Busi / Sergio Lafuente are still on the special stage.
De Mévius and Baumel are back among the frontrunners. After yesterday’s 18th place gave them a strong starting position, they were able to attack again today. A major advantage was the time intervals between competitors at the start, which were two minutes within De Mévius’ starting group. As a result, he was not caught in the dust of the cars ahead. After more than 480 kilometers of special stage, he finished only around two minutes behind the stage winner.
Lionel and Lucie Baud repeated their performance from yesterday and again claimed 25th place. On the high-speed sections, the diesel-powered MINI JCW Rally 3.0d is at a disadvantage due to FIA regulations. Nevertheless, they were able to move up two more places in the overall standings, now holding 32nd position.
Tomorrow, the crews must handle their desert racers with particular care — the second marathon stage is on the agenda. This means the drivers must once again manage without their mechanics and perform any necessary work themselves. Before that, the crews must complete 410 timed kilometers. After not quite half of the stage, they can make a service stop at a remote service point. However, the clock keeps running there, which means only tire changes and absolutely essential repairs can be carried out.
Statements
Guillaume de Mévius (MINI JCW Rally 3.0i): „“It was a good day for us. We finally got through without problems and without having to stop. Due to the strong wind, visibility was partly reduced. Tomorrow the next marathon stage awaits, and we will have to treat the car with care.”
Lionel Baud (MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): “It was another good day for us. Unfortunately, with the diesel we lack too much power on these large plateaus. Lucie did a perfect job with the navigation.”
Result SS8
1. S. Variawa / F. Cazalet – Toyota – 4h 20m 35s
2. H. Lategan / B. Cimmungs – Toyota – 4h 20m 38s
3. M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist – Ford – 4h 21m 04s
4. S. Quintero / A. Short – Toyota – 4h 21m 12s
5. N. Al-Attyiah / F. Lurquin – Dacia – 4h 21m 51s
…
7. G. de Mévius / M. Baumel – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i – 4h 22m 35s
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25. L. Baud / L. Baud – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 4h 39m 36s
Overall standings
1. N. Al-Attyiah / F. Lurquin – Dacia – 32h 32m 06s
2. M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist – Ford – 32h 36m 06s
3. H. Lategan / B. Cimmungs – Toyota – 32h 38m 14s
4. N. Roma / A. Haro – Ford – 32h 41m 43s
5. C. Sainz / L. Cruz – Ford – 32h 42m 45s
…
32. L. Baud / L. Baud – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 36h 49m 36s
…
50. G. de Mévius / M. Baumel – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i – 38h 50m 16s
