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Nasser Al-Attiyah conquers Dakar 2026: Dacia triumphs over Ford and Toyota in epic showdown

James Taylor by James Taylor
January 17, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Nasser Al-Attiyah conquers Dakar 2026: Dacia triumphs over Ford and Toyota in epic showdown

Dakar 2026: Nasser Al-Attiyah Triumphs as Dacia Dominates, Leaving Rivals in the Dust!

In a thrilling showdown that captivated motorsport fans worldwide, Dacia’s own Nasser Al-Attiyah snagged his sixth Dakar Rally victory in 2026, inching closer to the legendary Stephane Peterhansel’s record of eight wins. This year’s rally unfolded as one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, showcasing the prowess of ten different drivers from five manufacturers who each claimed individual stage victories. This dramatic turn of events starkly contrasted with the previous year, where Toyota reigned supreme.

Al-Attiyah’s journey was anything but smooth. Throughout the grueling two-week rally, he experienced significant ups and downs, often described as “yo-yo” swings, but when the stakes were highest, he delivered with two pivotal stage victories. While many of his rivals faced elimination due to misfortunes, Al-Attiyah skillfully navigated the treacherous terrain of the Dakar, proving his mettle when it mattered most.

The first week saw Ford emerge as a formidable contender, with its factory drivers fully exploiting the upgraded Raptor to mount a relentless challenge against Dacia and Toyota. However, the American brand struggled with inconsistency, a fate shared with Toyota’s newly designed Hilux. This unpredictability created the perfect opening for Al-Attiyah, who seized the opportunity on Stage 6, claiming his first win and climbing to the top of the leaderboard for the first time.

As the rally progressed into its second week, the tides began to turn decisively in Al-Attiyah’s favor. It was during the second marathon stage that disaster struck for Ford’s Mattias Ekstrom and Mitch Guthrie, who suffered substantial time losses due to navigation errors. Then, a day later, four-time champion Carlos Sainz Sr. faced his own setbacks, including a 15-minute penalty for missing a waypoint. By Stage 11, Al-Attiyah’s path to victory was nearly clear after last year’s runner-up, Henk Lategan, succumbed to a mechanical failure, leaving Nani Roma as the only realistic threat. Armed with a comfortable 12-minute lead heading into the final two days, Al-Attiyah controlled the remaining stages and crossed the finish line with a staggering victory margin of 9 minutes and 42 seconds.

At 55 years old, Al-Attiyah stands as one of the all-time greats in cross-country rallying, achieving six Dakar victories with four different manufacturers: Volkswagen, Mini, Toyota, and now Dacia. His win also marks a significant milestone for the Renault Group, being only their second overall victory in Dakar history, the first dating back to 1982.

In the battle for the podium, the competition remained fierce. While Al-Attiyah secured his victory early, the fight for third place heated up between Ekstrom and the legendary Sebastien Loeb. Ekstrom emerged as a standout performer, with three stage wins to his name, but faced a setback on Stage 9 that nearly derailed his podium hopes. Ultimately, he clung to third place by a mere 37 seconds after clinching victory on the final stage, matching his best result from last year. Loeb, in a surprising twist, finished fourth without any stage wins—only the third time in his illustrious career that he has failed to claim victory at a stage.

Sainz Sr. fought valiantly from a slow start to finish fifth overall, but a critical 45-minute loss on Stage 10 sealed his fate, leaving him 28 minutes behind Al-Attiyah. Meanwhile, Mathieu Serradori shone brightly for Century, scoring a remarkable win on Stage 10 amidst a sea of competitors faltering. Reigning World Rally-Raid Champion Lucas Moraes made his debut with Dacia, finishing a commendable seventh.

Toyota, initially brimming with hope, faltered as their representatives struggled throughout the rally. Henk Lategan, who had briefly taken the overall lead, faced a series of misfortunes that ultimately derailed his chances. Despite a promising start with a 1-2-3-4-5 finish on Stage 2, the team’s hopes faded as their star drivers encountered mechanical issues and navigational errors.

As the dust settles on Dakar 2026, one truth remains clear: Nasser Al-Attiyah has etched his name deeper into the annals of rally history. With only two victories standing between him and the illustrious record held by Peterhansel, the stage is set for an even more electrifying showdown in the years to come. Al-Attiyah’s unwavering determination and strategic brilliance have not only secured his place as a champion but also reignited the spirit of competition in one of the most prestigious racing events on the planet.

Tags: 2005-motogp-world-championship2023-dakar-rally2025-ford-championship2025-toyota-usa-track-and-field-championshipscarlos-sainz-srDaciamattias-ekstrom-2Nasser Al-Attiyah
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