
At the end of 4,788 kilometers, including 3,197 timed, Yazeed Al Rajhi made history in the Dakar Rally. The Saudi driver from Overdrive Racing, partnered with navigator Timo Gottschalk, became the first Saudi to lift the Tuareg trophy. Defying all predictions, Al Rajhi claimed victory in the 47th edition of the Dakar, driving his privately managed Toyota Hilux Evo T1+. His triumph was the result of a flawless strategy and an in-depth knowledge of the Saudi desert.
Al Rajhi's victory is a testament to resilience. Last year, a severe accident during a 48-hour stage ended his chances for the title. This year, by winning that same stage, he laid the groundwork for his success. The retirements of Carlos Sainz and Sebastien Loeb, along with Nasser Al-Attiyah's issues, also played a crucial role in the intense battle with Henk Lategan.
While Lategan of Toyota Gazoo South Africa consistently stayed at the top, Al Rajhi employed a more cautious approach, often sacrificing stage positions to gain a navigation advantage in subsequent stages. In the final stages, however, Al Rajhi increased his pace, engaging in a fierce duel with Lategan. The turning point came when Al Rajhi pulled ahead by over six minutes, securing victory with a margin of 3’57”, the second-shortest gap in the rally’s history.
The podium was completed by Matthias Ekström, who edged out Al-Attiyah for third place. The Swede, with a history of success in DTM and RallyCross, showcased his skill on the Saudi dunes, fending off Al-Attiyah’s challenges. Despite several setbacks, the Qatari driver, debuting with Dacia, maintained a competitive pace, but penalties pushed him off the podium.
Finishing fifth overall, Mitchell Guthrie and Kellon Walch highlighted the reliability of the Ford Raptor T1, while the French duo Matthieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier narrowly missed the top five with their Century CR7 buggy. Among the rising stars, Juan Cruz Yacopini brought his Toyota Hilux Evo T1+ to seventh place, affirming the expertise of Overdrive Racing.
Team X-Raid secured eighth place with Joao Ferreira and Felipe Palmeiro, followed by Seth Quintero, who demonstrated significant potential. Despite two stage wins, Lucas Moraes finished fifteenth overall. Rounding out the top 10, Brian Baragwanath delivered a strong performance with his Century CR7.

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