Overview

• Carlos Sainz, the oldest Dakar Rally champion at 62, seeks to become the first driver to win with five different manufacturers, now racing for Ford after Audi's departure.
• The 2025 Dakar Rally spans 8,000 kilometers across Saudi Arabia, featuring challenging stages like a two-day marathon in the Empty Quarter desert without team support.
• Sainz, a four-time Dakar winner, has emphasized his physical preparation and aims to enjoy the race while vying for another victory with his new Ford Raptor car.
• Key competitors include Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah and France's Sébastien Loeb, both driving for the new Dacia Sandriders team, while 14-time champion Stéphane Peterhansel has retired.
• The event, now part of Saudi Arabia's broader push into global sports, has attracted 778 participants from 72 countries, competing in cars, bikes, quads, and trucks.