Clever management after the previous day's stage win: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk fifth on the last stage before the rest day Second position in the overall standings secured: Saudi Arabian-Brandenburg duo cushions the disadvantage of the route opening Stage...
Down to the wire – Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk go into the final day of the “Dakar” as leaders
Further contributions
Yazeed and the speed: Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk new “Dakar” runners-up with stage win
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk take advantage of the late start and reduce the gap at the Dakar Rally to around seven minutes Stage from Al-Henakiyah to al-'Ula forms the first part of a so-called marathon stage Be careful, but at speed: stony ground requires...
Shorter, but crisp: Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk remain in the leading group at the Dakar Rally
Fifth day of the rally, third stage: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk lose time in the Dakar Rally due to tricky navigation and stony surfaces Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk remain within striking distance of the overall leaders in fourth place, gap widens to 11:45 minutes...
Two in a hurry – Queen’s stage of the “Dakar” clearly goes to Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk
Stage victory on Epiphany: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk win 48-hour stage of the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabian-Brandenburg duo take second place in the overall standings Extreme driving and navigational challenges on 967-kilometer special stage Bisha, Saudi Arabia...
Spiritual “Dakar” lead for Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk after part one of the 48-hour stage
Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk deliver a strong performance from 19th on the queen stage of the first "Dakar" week Saudi-Arabian-Brandenburg duo complete the first 618 of 967 test kilometers on two-part endurance test Second part of the 48-hour stage follows Monday on Epiphany...
First day, but a used one – Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk lose time before extreme stage at the “Dakar”
413-kilometer loop around Bisha with challenges for drivers and co-drivers is the true prelude to the 2025 Dakar Rally Pace stage before the big hammer: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk skillfully dose the "Dakar" urge, but also lose time with numerous technical...
Dakar Rally (20+25)² – Prologue of the mathematicians, Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk in 18th position
Solid start to the Dakar Rally: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk finished the first showdown of the desert classic in 18th position.
Finishing unfinished business? Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk are among the secret favorites at the Dakar Rally
There is still a score to settle with the Dakar Rally: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk are once again among the secret favorites for the 2025 edition of the desert classic.
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk celebrate another Saudi Arabian Championship title
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk secure the title in Saudi Arabia with their third win of the season Sovereign and unthreatened success at the Qassim Rally Test under competitive conditions: Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk test suspension set-up for the Dakar Rally Buraydah,...
Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk runners-up for the second time in a row
Saudi Arabian-Brandenburg duo celebrate another second place in the FIA World Cross Country Rally Championship (W2RC) Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk finish mixed season finale at the Morocco Rally in fourth place overall WRC title and victory at the Morocco Rally go to Nasser...
- The final sprint decides: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk take a lead of 6:11 minutes into the final 61 kilometers of the Dakar Rally
- Dune duel: Stages in the Empty Quarter make for a worthy finale in the Lategan/Cummings versus Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk fight
- 276 kilometers of special stages on leg 11 challenge drivers and co-drivers alike
Shubaytah, Saudi Arabia (January 16, 2025) – Not for the faint-hearted: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk go into the final day of the Dakar Rally with a 6:11-minute lead. On the eleventh and penultimate leg of the desert classic through Saudi Arabia, the runners-up regained the overall lead in third place. On the 276-kilometre royal stage of the second week through the Empty Quarter, the largest sandy desert in the world, the Saudi-Arabian-Brandenburg duo tried to capitalize on their late starting position and were rewarded for their spirited ride. In the final 61 kilometers of the stage, they now have a great opportunity to clinch the “home victory” in Saudi Arabia. For Timo Gottschalk, it would be his second success in the Dakar Rally after 2011. Incidentally, in 2010 Gottschalk missed his first “Dakar” victory by just 2:12 minutes – the closest decision to date in the history of the world’s toughest rally. The turning point in the overall standings was almost reached at kilometer 94 of the eleventh stage after exactly 4,662 kilometers of special stages. There, the gap between Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings (RSA/RSA, Toyota) and Al-Rajhi/Gottschalk was four seconds – equivalent to 103 meters over the overall distance. From then on, the gap turned into a lead that grew steadily until the finish. Yazeed Al-Rajhi in particular was in his element. Dunes, ergs and chotts – as far as the eye could see. The 276-kilometre special stage around Shubaytah was characterized by the Empty Quarter, the largest sandy desert in the world, including driving and navigational challenges. Due to fog, the special stage had to start two and a half hours later.
QUOTES
“A real hammering in the dunes! We gave everything today and were always close to Nasser Al-Attiyah. Things are now looking good for us in the overall standings.”
YAZEED AL-RAJHI
“Yazeed drove really well today. It was dunes without end, only the most difficult and demanding ones. In between, we had to keep an eye on our fuel consumption because it was extremely high – which was due to the difficult terrain. We did well and now go into the final stage with a good lead!”
TIMO GOTTSCHALK