“I didn’t expect to go so fast this year”
EN BREF
R.B.:
- Rebecca Busi, 28, made her Dakar Classic debut in 2022, where she finished in her first appearance. In 2023, she raced in SSV with Giulia Maroni but retired on stage 12. For 2024, she teamed up with Sergio Lafuente and finished 22nd in SSV (and P3 in W2RC).
- She is an ambassador and instructor for Lamborghini Geneva, where she guides customers and takes part in events such as “She Drives a Lambo”, an initiative dedicated to women. She also works with Lamborghini Squadracorse to provide driver coaching.
- She has taken part in numerous videos for Lamborghini, such as those for the Revuelto and the Urus, highlighting her expertise in driving and her role with the brand.
S.L.:
- Sergio Lafuente is about to take part in his eighth Dakar. He began his career on a quad bike in 2011 and even won 3 stages, before becoming co-driver in 2021 in the SSV category. He joined Saeed Almouri and then Dania Akeel, with who he finished eighth in T3 in 2022.
- He has worked alongside Rebecca Busi since 2024. She has, in his own words, given him back the taste for victory. He finished his first Dakar with the Italian in 22nd place in the SSV category.
- Did you know? Sergio Lafuente is a former weightlifter who competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He finished 26th.
2025 AMBITIONS
R.B: “Dakar 2024 was a very great race for me, it was the first Dakar that I was able to finish apart from the classic one and well it didn’t go as I wanted. So, I’ve got a crash in the Empty Quarter, and I did the best as I could. But I’m overall satisfied because with Dakar I started my, let’s say, my stairs to become a better driver. That’s why in Abu Dhabi I improved a lot, and I started becoming better. The W2RC was a rollercoaster to me. I didn’t expect to go so fast this year, and I didn’t expect that all the work I’ve put would pay off so quickly. It was a very good achievement for me, for the team. And I’m so happy because all the work paid off. It gives joy or something back to the people who believed in you. And of course, for 2025, I want to do better, I want to be the first, but I will be happy with whatever results I will achieve because I’m here racing. For Dakar 2025, I changed everything except my co-driver, I love my co-driver. So basically, I will be with South Racing, and I will be racing with the new Can-Am Maverick R. I have a new sponsor that will be with me for the next two full W2RC seasons. When you know you are sure that you are going to race for so much time you are calmer and more focused on the result. I can’t wait to start racing!”
S.L: “I'll tell you this clearly: I don't know anyone more peaceful than Rebeca in the world of motorsports. I was a bit discouraged by the race and it was already work for me, but she managed to reawaken my desire to win. On the Dakar, we're going to give our 100% and we'll see what happens day by day, because it's a very long, very tough race full of traps that we'll overcome little by little.”
