The 2025 Dakar Rally took a dramatic turn on Stage 7 as a road book error sent podium contenders into chaos, forced time recalculations, and left the field divided on the organizers’ decision to neutralize part of the stage. What was set to be a grueling 419km loop around Al Duwadimi turned into one of the rally’s most contentious days, reshuffling the leaderboard and fueling heated debate among competitors.
The Error That Changed Everything
At the 158km marker, an incorrect note in the road book led to massive time losses for leading contenders over a 20km stretch. Top drivers, including Henk Lategan, Yazeed Al Rajhi, and Mattias Ekström, were left scrambling as navigation became nearly impossible. Some crews managed to avoid the worst, gaining an advantage, but their triumph was short-lived.
The rally’s organizers, ASO, decided to neutralize the problematic section, effectively erasing the gains and losses incurred. In a statement, ASO acknowledged the error:
“An incorrect road book note at 158km of the special has caused several drivers at the front of the field to lose their bearings… A segment of about 20km before and after this point will therefore be delimited at the finish.”
The Aftermath: A Leaderboard Shake-Up
When the recalculated times were applied, the impact on the standings was profound:
- Henk Lategan retained his overall lead but saw his advantage over Yazeed Al Rajhi slashed from nearly eight minutes to just 21 seconds.
- Mattias Ekström, who had dropped 23 minutes during the error-plagued section, consolidated his third-place position, just 10m25s behind Lategan.
- Nasser Al-Attiyah, a five-time Dakar winner, suffered a tough day, losing six minutes to Ekström and falling to nearly 12 minutes off the lead.
With five stages remaining, Al Rajhi now finds himself in a prime position to challenge for the overall win and potentially become the first Saudi Arabian to win the Dakar Rally.
Divided Opinions Among Crews
The decision to neutralize the 20km stretch sparked mixed reactions among the competitors. Mattias Ekström, who suffered significant time loss during the error, supported the recalculation:
“We looked like clowns in the circus, so that wasn’t so fun. It looked like there was a problem in the road book, and afterward, we drove as well as we could.”
However, his M-Sport Ford teammate Nani Roma disagreed, arguing that the chaos was part of the rally’s essence:
“This is rally raid. This is part of the game; sometimes you gain, sometimes you lose. I hope they do not cut this part.”
The debate underscores the tension between preserving the sport’s integrity and rectifying errors that unfairly disrupt competition.
Stage 7 Highlights: Moraes Shines Amid Controversy
Lucas Moraes of Toyota Gazoo Racing won Stage 7 despite enduring severe mechanical issues in the previous stage. However, his day wasn’t without drama—Moraes and navigator Armand Monleon received a one-hour penalty and suspended disqualification for using a cellphone during the neutralization zone.
The stewards’ decision emphasized the infraction’s gravity, warning that any repeat would result in Moraes’ disqualification:
“The navigator declared that in the heat of the race he took it, without realizing the possible consequences. The navigator apologized, recognizing the mistake.”
What’s Next: The Empty Quarter Awaits
As the rally heads toward the Empty Quarter, one of the toughest stretches of the Dakar, navigation and endurance will play an even greater role. With Al Rajhi breathing down Lategan’s neck and Ekström poised to capitalize on any mistakes, the fight for the overall victory is far from over.
Toyota remains a dominant force, but drivers like Ekström and Mitch Guthrie Jr., who finished third on Stage 7, are poised to keep the pressure on. Meanwhile, Moraes’ penalty serves as a reminder that even minor missteps can have significant consequences in the world’s toughest rally.
Key Takeaways:
- Henk Lategan leads by just 21 seconds, with Yazeed Al Rajhi emerging as a strong contender.
- The road book error and subsequent time recalculation have sparked a fierce debate over fairness in rally raid.
- Lucas Moraes claimed a stage win but faces a suspended disqualification after a cellphone rule breach.
With only five stages remaining, the 2025 Dakar Rally promises to deliver even more drama, testing the limits of endurance, skill, and strategy.