Amidst the diverse and thrilling terrain of Saudi Arabia, the competitors of the 2026 Dakar Rally their challenge against some of the world's toughest desert routes. On Friday, January 16, 2026, the participants launched the twelfth and penultimate stage, a 720-kilometer route from Al-Hanakiya to Yanbu. This included a 311-kilometer timed special stage, which featured dramatic twists and turns and fierce competition as drivers vied for a place on the final podium.
Nasser Al-Attiyah tightens his grip on the lead
Veteran Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah , driving for the Dacia Sandriders team, continued to deliver masterclasses in desert driving, maintaining his lead in the overall standings for the car category. Al-Attiyah finished the stage in first place with a time of 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 52 seconds, one minute and four seconds ahead of his American rival, Mitch Guthrie, driving a Ford Racing. Australian Toby Price, now competing in a Toyota Gazoo, finished third, one minute and 25 seconds behind.
With this exceptional performance, Al-Attiyah extended his lead in the overall standings to 16 minutes and two seconds over his closest pursuer, Spaniard Nani Roma, taking a big step closer to clinching the title with one round remaining, while Swede Mattias Ekström trails in third place by more than 23 minutes.
A remarkable Saudi performance by Dania Aqeel
On the local front, reflecting the development of motorsports in the Kingdom, Saudi driver Dania Aqeel a remarkable feat in the Challenger lightweight desert vehicle category. Aqeel secured second place in the stage, just 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind her teammate from the Odyssey Academy team, Argentinian Kevin Benavides, who claimed first place with a time of 3 hours, 44 minutes, and 52 seconds. This performance reflects the significant development of Saudi talent and its ability to compete with world champions in the toughest rallies.
Results of other categories: Last-second battle
The other categories witnessed equally fierce competition, with the following results:
- The "Stock" car category: Defender Rally team dominated, occupying the top three positions, led by American Sarah Price, who outperformed veteran Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel.
- Motorcycles: American Ricky Brabec (Honda Energy) took the lead, ahead of Argentinian Luciano Benavides.
- SSV category: Argentinian Jarmias Gonzalez Ferroli led the stage, widening the gap with his rivals.
- Trucks: Dutchman Mitchell van den Brink proved his superiority by winning the stage with a comfortable lead over his rivals.
Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia: More than just a race
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Dakar Rally holds immense strategic importance, as it has cemented the Kingdom’s position as a leading global destination for motorsports. The 2026 edition will continue this success, showcasing the Kingdom’s diverse geography, from sand dunes to rocky coastlines, thus boosting the sports tourism sector and aligning with the goals of Vision 2030. The world eagerly awaits the final stage of this epic event in Yanbu on Saturday, January 17, 2026, a 138-kilometer route that will definitively determine the champions of this historic edition.
