The international rally-raid competition landscape is preparing for a major logistical transformation. The organizers of one of the toughest and most demanding competitions on the world calendar have officially confirmed an unexpected move for the upcoming edition, marking a temporary break in the current host country and paving the way for possible spectacular new routes.
Since moving to the Middle East in 2020, the Dakar Rally has been held entirely in Saudi Arabia, quickly becoming a respected tradition of the start of the year for global motorsport. However, the 2027 edition will not be held in the country.
● The decision-maker: The move was made amid growing security concerns and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region.
● Official confirmation: Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the organisation that organises the famous competition, has confirmed that the entire caravan will be relocated to a new geographical area for this edition.
● Historical precedents: Such a move highlights the logistical fragility of events of such magnitude, with the Dakar Rally having been completely cancelled only once in its history, in 2008, also for strict safety reasons.
Although details regarding the new host country or region are yet to be officially announced, speculation behind the scenes in motorsport is pointing to some of the most fascinating scenarios for fans everywhere.
● Return to the roots: Persistent rumors suggest the rally could make a symbolic return to the African continent for the first time in two decades.
● Expected format: The plan circulated by insiders indicates a possible festive start and prologue stage hosted in Europe, followed by the transport of logistics and the contest of special stages on the macadam and dunes of Morocco, a country with a deep tradition in long-distance raids.
The break in Saudi Arabia is strictly one-time, with the long-term partnership between the organizers and local authorities remaining just as solid.
● Scheduled return: ASO and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation have officially confirmed that the Dakar Rally will return to Saudi Arabia in 2028.
● Jubilee edition: The year 2028 will be a very resonant one for the history of the sport, as it will mark the 50th edition of the Dakar Rally, an anniversary moment that will bring together the most important names and teams from around the world in the Saudi desert landscape.
In parallel with the big changes in the competition calendar, the Romanian-origin manufacturer Dacia has written pages of legend in the most painful test on the planet for cars and crews. Developed specifically for these extreme tests, the Dacia Sandrider competition model has demonstrated unparalleled reliability and performance.
● Absolute victory and equal records: At the wheel of the Dacia Sandrider, the experienced Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, with Fabian Lurquin as co-driver, dominated the competition authoritatively and crossed the finish line in first place in the overall standings. This success marked the sixth career victory for Al-Attiyah in the Dakar Rally, equaling historical benchmark performances.
● Massive presence in the world rankings: The crew of Sébastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger confirmed the excellent pace of the car, ending the rally in a well-deserved 4th place overall. Also, the other representatives of the brand, Lucas Moraes alongside Dennis Zenz, occupied 7th position, while the crew formed by Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno finished in 11th place.
● Unprecedented team performance: What amazed the world of motorsport was the fact that all four crews registered under the Dacia Sandriders colors achieved the remarkable performance of finishing the competition in the top eleven overall, transforming the brand's debut into one of the most fulminating and clean triumphs in the modern history of the Dakar Rally.