Sebastien Loeb says tyres are now the weakest part of Dakar Rally cars after suffering 13 punctures during the 2026 event, which hurt his chances of winning.
He believes modern Dakar cars are very strong and reliable overall, but tyres still break often, making tyre management a key challenge in the race.
Loeb finished fourth overall, and he pointed out that unpredictable punctures — especially on rocky terrain — were a major frustration this year.