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Nani Roma declares Dakar 2026 rivalry reaches ‘F1 level’: a thrilling race for glory

Publisher by Publisher
January 17, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Nani Roma declares Dakar 2026 rivalry reaches ‘F1 level’: a thrilling race for glory

Nani Roma during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2026 on January 15, 2026 between Bisha and Al Henakiyah, Saudi Arabia // Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202601150936 // Usage for editorial use only //

Dakar Rally 2026: A Battle of Titans – Nani Roma Declares It’s F1 Level!

In a gripping showdown that could rival the most prestigious motorsport events, Nani Roma, the formidable Ford driver, has sensationally claimed that the Dakar Rally has elevated itself to a level of intensity on par with Formula 1. After a nail-biting second-place finish in the 2026 event, Roma’s assertion comes amid a dramatic surge in competition, leaving fans and participants alike on the edge of their seats.

The stakes have never been higher as major players like Ford and Dacia solidify their presence in cross-country rallying, while Toyota introduces an all-new Hilux, intensifying the rivalry in the car category of this iconic race. The latest Dakar saw an astonishing five manufacturers clinch stage victories, with Mini and Century also making their mark. Ten brave drivers tasted the bittersweet thrill of victory across the grueling two-week marathon in the unforgiving terrains of Saudi Arabia.

As the competition heated up into the second week, the battle for supremacy remained wide open until the final moments. It wasn’t until after the second marathon stage that Dacia’s Nasser Al-Attiyah emerged as the undisputed frontrunner, ultimately clinching victory with a razor-thin margin of just under ten minutes over Roma. Notably, Mattias Ekstrom trailed closely behind, finishing only 15 minutes off the lead despite suffering a significant setback of half an hour due to navigation blunders on Stage 9.

Roma, a two-time Dakar champion, reflected on the astonishingly close race, likening it to the cutthroat nature of Formula 1. “Sometimes you get podium finishes in races that are circumstantial. I got here because the cars in front started to break down, but we were all here, neck-and-neck, just a few minutes apart,” he stated, underscoring the fierce competition that has become synonymous with this year’s rally.

He further elaborated, “If you analyze the differences well after more than 5,000 kilometers, I think you get these kinds of differences in Formula 1.” With palpable pride, Roma expressed his satisfaction with his performance alongside co-driver Alex Haro, emphasizing that their competitive spirit was paramount, far beyond mere podium finishes.

Roma dissected the minute details that ultimately tilted the scales in Al-Attiyah’s favor, asserting that it was not sheer speed but rather small, critical decisions that shaped the outcome. “He was a little faster than us at different times. He didn’t beat us by being faster, but because of small details that we weren’t skilled enough to handle,” he admitted. This level of candidness highlights the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines the sport.

Meanwhile, Roma’s teammate, the legendary Carlos Sainz Sr, concluded the Dakar in fifth place, trailing about 28 minutes behind Al-Attiyah. A series of navigation errors, including a costly 15-minute penalty for missing a waypoint during the second marathon stage, extinguished his hopes for a fifth Dakar title. Sainz, who had been in a promising second place before missteps on Stage 10, lamented, “Just one day was enough to ruin all our chances of victory.” His frustration echoes the harsh reality of rallying, where a single mistake can be catastrophic.

The tension didn’t just reside in the cars category; the bikes segment saw a heart-stopping finale as KTM’s Luciano Benavides seized victory from Honda’s Ricky Brabec by a mere two seconds, proving that every second counts in this grueling competition.

As fans eagerly await the next chapter in this epic saga, one thing is clear: The Dakar Rally has transformed into a battleground of elite motorsport, where precision meets passion and every detail can alter destiny. Buckle up; the journey is just getting started!

Tags: 2005-motogp-world-championship2025-ford-championship2026-ktm-junior-supercrosscarlos-sainz-srDaciadakar-rally-2026Nani RomaNasser Al-Attiyah
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