Yazeed Al-Rajhi Takes on the World’s Best in the Dakar Rally in 2026

Over the past few years, Yazeed Al-Rajhi has elevated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s profile in worldwide rally racing to the point where his name has become associated with significant wins, and his image is frequently seen in international motorsports. The 2026 Dakar Rally, which begins today and goes from January 3rd to January 17th, brings Al-Rajhi back into the public eye.

Al-Rajhi is contending for the championship in this year’s Dakar Rally and hopes to defend the title he gained as runner-up in 2025. He declared, “After our success in 2025, we are preparing for the 2026 Dakar Rally with great determination and an even greater sense of responsibility. Although winning the title was a momentous occasion, defending it is now the true struggle. Our objective is clear: to compete fiercely for the victory and have a flawless start in the W2RC World Championship. The car is ready, and the team are working together.”

In a tense struggle between the automakers, Al-Rajhi will participate in a Toyota Hilux against the Qatari Dacia squad, which Frenchman Sébastien Loeb and Nasser Al-Attiyah command. With three wins in the last four rounds, including Al-Rajhi’s first Saudi victory in 2025, the Toyota has demonstrated its value.

After ten years and eleven competitions, including three retirements, Al-Rajhi accomplished this achievement, showcasing his steady performance and realising his dream. He remarked, “Winning the Dakar Rally was a dream. For millions of people worldwide, I realised their dream. I take great pride in myself, my nation, my team, and my fellow drivers.”

Widespread Participation at the Dakar Rally in 2026

The President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, confirmed that the Kingdom’s strong support for sports enabled the successful preparation of the rally. The rally has a variety of routes that traverse different parts of the Kingdom.

In the current edition, 812 contestants from 69 countries are operating over 433 vehicles in six different categories, including 118 motorcycles. With a rest day in the capital, the 7,994-kilometre rally consists of 4,840 km of timed special stages spread across 13 competitive stages and one Super Special Stage.

The competition starts on the Red Sea coast at Yanbu and travels through Al-Ula, Hail, Riyadh, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Bisha, and Al-Hanakiya before coming back to Yanbu to conclude on January 17. Moreover, this version increases the difficulty and tests the teams’ technical and physical preparedness with seven loop stages and two marathon stages. The motorbike route will have its own campsites and be kept apart from the automobile and truck roads for safety reasons.

Defending champion Daniel Sanders (KTM) of Australia will face off against American Ricky Brabec, who won the 2024 edition, and Frenchman Adrien Van Beveren, who finished third in 2025. For the majority of the 812 participants, finishing the rally—which is an incredible human experience in and of itself—is the primary goal.

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Fierce Rivalry Between Youth & Experience

Henk Latigan, Saud Fariawa, Seth Quintero, Toby Price, João Ferreira, and Eric Gottschahl are among the young drivers in the T1 Plus class. To make up for his absence last year, other teams are depending on veterans like Carlos Sainz, a 63-year-old Spaniard and four-time Dakar champion.

The “Next Generation Saudi 2025” initiative, which aims to promote and develop local drivers to the professional level, produced Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Al-Shaqawi, who represent Saudi Arabia in the SSV category. In anticipation of the 2027 Dakar Rally, the programme is getting ready to introduce a new cohort.

The 36-year-old Brazilian world champion has joined the Dacia team to compete against notable rivals, including nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb and five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah. Loeb, who aspires to win his first Dakar title driving a desert car, has previously won 28 stages and reached the podium five times.

With their Ford and Mini vehicles, the X-raid and M-Sport teams stand out as possible competitors of Dacia and Toyota. Despite losing his right leg in an accident in early 2025, Belgian driver Guillaume de Mevius and his French co-driver Mathieu Baumel are determined to make it to the podium, demonstrating their physical and mental preparedness.

The renowned Frenchman Stéphane Peterhansel, also known as “Mr. Dakar,” returns to compete in the modified car class in his Land Rover Defender after a year away, hoping to increase his record number of wins (14, including 6 on motorbikes).

In summary, the participation of well-known figures, intense competition, and outstanding organisational efforts will make the 2026 Dakar Rally full of thrills and excitement. The coming days will see the elimination of certain contestants, while others will continue to compete.

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