Yazeed Al-Rajhi makes history: first saudi to win the Dakar Rally at home
Juan José Saldaña
January 17, 2025

Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi has etched his name into the motorsport history books by winning the 2025 Dakar Rally, an edition marked by the balance between manufacturers and the surprises of the Saudi Arabian dunes. In his sixth home participation and after 11 attempts in the world’s most demanding rally, the 43-year-old driver became the first Saudi to win the Touareg on home soil. This achievement had not been seen since 1994, when Frenchman Pierre Lartigue claimed the title in his homeland.

Toyota, alongside the Overdrive team, also made history by securing their fourth Dakar win in seven years. Despite fierce competition from Mini, Ford, and Dacia, the Japanese brand once again proved the reliability of its Hilux T1+, with nine stage victories and maintaining its desert supremacy. Al-Rajhi’s performance, along with his co-driver Timo Gottschalk, was crucial in a race where strategy prevailed over pure speed.

CONSISTENCY AND STRATEGY

The 2025 edition of the Dakar was not only one of the most tightly contested but also a testament to how experience and consistency can surpass raw power. Al-Rajhi took the lead in stage 9 of the 12 stages, taking advantage of the challenging terrain of the Empty Quarter to pull ahead of his main rival, South Africa’s Henk Lategan, his teammate at Toyota. While Lategan led much of the rally and won two stages, he could not stop the relentless progress of the Saudi, who managed a crucial advantage of 6 minutes and 11 seconds in the final stretch.

The final stage in Shubaytah provided an exciting spectacle with a massive start in classic Dakar style. However, the overall standings remained unchanged. Al-Rajhi crossed the finish line as the new champion, with Lategan second and Swedish driver Mattias Ekström completing the podium after a strong performance with the Ford Raptor T1+. This result solidifies Al-Rajhi as a key figure for the new generations of motorsport in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Rajhi’s victory is not only a personal milestone but also a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s growing prominence in the world of motorsport. Inspired by figures like Carlos Sainz, who even advised him during the competition, Al-Rajhi is emerging as a key driver for local motorsport, with initiatives to support young talent and continue raising the level of the Dakar in the years to come.

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