• After winning 2025: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk are the first to beat at the Dakar Rally from January 3 to 17
• Route, competition, technology – extremely challenging Dakar Rally, defending the title more demanding than ever before
• Enthusiasm and support: Fans and supporters give Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk enormous backing

Rheinsberg, Germany (January 2, 2026) – Expect the unexpected, strive for the impossible and gain strength from the unknown: Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk are embarking on a tricky mission as defending champions in the 2026 Dakar Rally from January 3 to 17 in Saudi Arabia. After the great triumph almost a year ago, the scale of the “do it again” task is immense: the route is even tougher, the overall standings even more competitive and the terrain even more unpredictable. And it’s not just the usual “Dakar” rhetoric that applies, motorsport also has a few words of wisdom, such as this one: Nothing is more difficult than successfully defending a title. So far, only six legendary drivers – Ari Vatanen, Pierre Lartigue, Jean-Louis Schlesser, Hiroshi Masuoka, Stéphane Peterhansel and Nasser Al-Attiyah – and only four absolutely exceptional co-drivers – Bruno Berglund, Michel Périn, Jean-Paul Cottret and Matthieu Baumel – have managed to do so in the automobile classification. A total of eight drivers have achieved more than one victory in the Dakar Rally, and Yazeed Al-Rajhi could yet join this illustrious circle. Timo Gottschalk is already one of the twelve co-drivers who have achieved more than one overall victory – alongside Andreas Schulz as the second German representative.

Statistics or no statistics – when the Dakar Rally is looking for the next title winner, descriptive facts and figures are a waste of time. Then drivers, co-drivers and teams face the harsh reality. An overview.

The route

The 2026 Dakar Rally promises little mercy in the very first week: right after the start in Yanbu, drivers, co-drivers and equipment are put to the test. Fast gravel roads alternate with rocky passages and extensive dune fields – a constant interplay that demands maximum concentration. In addition to a determined driving style, navigation becomes a decisive factor. Sometimes it’s a matter of making fast kilometers through open terrain at full rally speed, then again technical sections demand precision down to the millimetre. By the rest day, the favorites may have made themselves known – but even minor carelessness can lead to time losses that will take their revenge later.

After the rest day, the Dakar shows its true colors. The second week is traditionally regarded as the decisive phase – and 2026 will be no exception. The stages become longer, the navigation more complex, the sand and dune areas larger. This is when the wheat is separated from the chaff: fitness, experience and tactical skill will decide who wins or loses. Man and machine are equally at the limit. A carelessly caught suspension damage, a navigation error, a moment of lack of concentration – and the overall classification can turn completely upside down.

On the last few kilometers back towards Yanbu, the tension remains until the very end. Because the Dakar 2026 remains what it has always been: a marathon that is only really decided at the finish – and only rewards the strongest and most reliable.

The competition

Old champions, up-and-comers and outsiders – the automobile classification at the Dakar Rally promises world class on paper alone. It reads like a Who’s Who of cross-country rally sport. Among others, Seth Quintero/Andrew Short in a Toyota are among the front runners: The US duo is regarded as one of the hottest contenders for stage wins. Toyota is also sending other spearheads into the race: Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings and the experienced Australian Toby Price with co-driver Armand Monleon want to prove their enormous potential, especially in the fast sections and the dreaded dune fields. Guillaume de Mévius/Mathieu Baumel form the spearhead of Mini – a well-rehearsed duo that has steadily worked its way up into the extended rally elite in recent years. Dacia relies on concentrated power: with Sébastien Loeb/Édouard Boulanger, the team is sending one of the greats of sprint rallying, who has already won Dakar stages, into the race. At his side, cross-country rally world champion Lucas Moraes will be fighting for overall victory with Dennis Zenz. Ford also offers a mixture of experience and recklessness – with Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz as well as Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergqvist and “Nani” Romi/Alex Bravo, among others.

The technology

In the Dakar Rally drivers’ classification, Dacia, Ford and Toyota rely on highly developed prototypes in the T1+/Ultimate category, which follow a similar basic technical concept despite different brand DNA: Dacia is competing with the Sandrider, a racing vehicle radically designed for lightweight construction, efficiency and agility with a carbon fibre chassis, mid-engine and hybrid support, which is particularly optimized for low weight, balanced weight distribution and easy serviceability in the bivouac. Ford is sending the Raptor T1+ into the race, an extremely robust, wide-bodied prototype with a powerful V8 biturbo, revised chassis and a clear focus on durability and speed in open desert passages. With the GR DKR Hilux Evo, Toyota, as driven by Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk, is relying on a proven, continuously developed concept, which will be launched as a factory development in a South African (Hallspeed) and a Belgian (Overdrive) version: an extremely reliable, comparatively compact T1+ prototype with a V6 engine, excellent traction and great “Dakar” all-purpose suitability over two rally weeks, which is known for its balance of performance, stability and easy repairability.

The moment

The victory of Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk in the 2025 Dakar Rally triggered a palpable wave of enthusiasm in Saudi Arabia and brought motorsport in the country to an emotional climax: for the first time, a Saudi driver won the prestigious overall classification of the automobile class, making the success a national moment of pride far beyond the sport. The media, social networks and public events enthusiastically seized on the triumph, Al-Rajhi became a figure of identification for a young, ambitious motorsport generation, and the Dakar itself gained further significance as part of the Kingdom’s sporting and cultural development. The success increased interest in off-road rallies, promoted young talent programs and underlined Saudi Arabia’s claim to be not only the host but also the sporting nation of the Dakar Rally.

QUOTES

“At the same time, there is nothing I would like more than to defend the ‘Dakar’ title. And yet nothing is more difficult than that. Last year, a zero-defect job, technical reliability and the luck of the brave came together for us. It will take hard work, fortune and tactical finesse to win the title again. We are aware of how almost invincible the rally is, but also that we have managed to do exactly that once before. We will give everything we’ve got at the 2026 ‘Dakar’. That’s for sure!”
YAZEED AL-RAJHI

“The route of the 2026 Dakar Rally not only presents extreme difficulties but also the potential to separate the wheat from the chaff early and mercilessly. It’s absolutely clear what we want to be among. But to do that, you not only have to be on top of your game from the start, but also extremely alert every millisecond. This applies to the drivers, but especially to the co-drivers. That’s exactly what we’ll be doing 14 times from the third of January!”
TIMO GOTTSCHALK