Carlos Sainz, the legendary Spanish driver, has made it clear that he is ready to compete for a fifth Dakar Rally title this season in Saudi Arabia.

At 62, Sainz, who made history last year by winning his fourth Dakar Rally title at 61, remains a formidable force in the world of motorsports.

A Historic Win and Unwavering Confidence

Sainz’s victory in the 2024 Dakar Rally was groundbreaking for multiple reasons.

At the age of 61, he became the oldest driver to win the prestigious race, and his triumph marked the first-ever Dakar victory for German automaker Audi.

Despite his age, Sainz is in top form as he prepares for another grueling challenge in the desert.

“I’ve done everything I can to be in good physical shape for this race,” Sainz said during the launch of his new Ford Raptor car.

“I’m fully prepared, and I’m determined to give my best effort in this race.”

Rally of the New Machines

This year, Sainz will face fierce competition from some of the biggest names in rallying, including five-time Dakar winner Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar and nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb from France.

Both drivers will be piloting new vehicles as well, with al-Attiyah driving a Dacia Sandrider and Loeb in the same model.

Sainz is not the only one testing new machines over the course of the 5,115 km route, which will take competitors through 12 demanding stages across Saudi Arabia.

Interestingly, one of the most notable absences from the rally will be France’s Stéphane Peterhansel, a 14-time Dakar champion who announced his retirement after the 2024 rally.

The 2025 Dakar Rally Course

This year’s Dakar Rally promises to be as challenging as ever.

The event kicks off on January 3 in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, with a prologue to set the stage for the rest of the race.

The competitors, including 778 drivers from 72 countries, will tackle 12 stages, concluding on January 17 in Shubaytah, near the UAE border.

The course will feature a particularly difficult segment in the Empty Quarter, a vast desert known for its treacherous sand dunes.

The race organizers have introduced a new concept for this stage, where competitors are required to bivouac in the desert without external assistance for 48 hours, pushing both endurance and performance to the limit.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambition and Investment in Motorsport

While the Dakar Rally has a long and storied history, this is its fifth consecutive year in Saudi Arabia.

The country has invested heavily in sports, including the Dakar, as part of its plan to diversify its economy away from oil.

The Kingdom has also been making waves in football, Formula 1, boxing, and even golf, with the launch of the LIV Golf Tour.

With billions of dollars being poured into sporting events and infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is firmly positioning itself as a major player in the global sports scene.

The 2025 Dakar Rally Route

The 2025 Dakar Rally route will cover various regions of Saudi Arabia, including some of the most rugged and challenging terrains.

Here’s a look at the stages:

January 3: Prologue in Bisha (79 km special)
January 4: Stage 1, Bisha – Bisha (499 km)
January 5-6: Stage 2, Bisha – Bisha (992 km for motorbikes, 1,058 km for cars)
January 7: Stage 3, Bisha – Al-Henakiyah (847 km)
January 8: Stage 4, Al-Henakiyah – Alula (588 km)
January 9: Stage 5, Alula – Hail (492 km)
January 10: Rest Day in Hail
January 11: Stage 6, Hail – Al-Duwadimi (828 km)
January 12: Stage 7, Al-Duwadimi – Al-Duwadimi (719 km for motorbikes, 742 km for cars)
January 13: Stage 8, Al-Duwadimi – Riyadh (733 km for motorbikes, 737 km for cars)
January 14: Stage 9, Riyadh – Haradh (589 km)
January 15: Stage 10, Haradh – Shubaytah (635 km for motorbikes, 640 km for cars)
January 16: Stage 11, Shubaytah – Shubaytah (539 km for motorbikes, 507 km for cars)
January 17: Stage 12, Shubaytah – Shubaytah (131 km for motorbikes, 61 km for cars)

Anticipation Builds for the 2025 Dakar Rally

The 2025 Dakar Rally promises to be another thrilling chapter in motorsport history.

With seasoned veterans like Carlos Sainz and Nasser al-Attiyah ready to battle it out, fans can expect fierce competition, spectacular challenges, and unforgettable moments.

The race may be called the Dakar, but it will be Saudi Arabia’s rugged desert landscape that will truly test the limits of human endurance.

If you’re a Dakar Rally fan, this is definitely a race you won’t want to miss.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn