In an exceptional sporting achievement that cements Saudi Arabia's place on the global motorsport map, Saudi champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi crowned Saudi Desert Rally Champion for the fifth consecutive time. This well-deserved victory came after his resounding win in the Jeddah Baja , the third and final round of the 2025 season, reaffirming Al-Rajhi's status as a formidable force in the world of desert rallying and his absolute dominance of the local championship since its inception.
A golden career and absolute dominance
Since the championship was launched in 2019, Al-Rajhi has continued to make history in letters of gold, not only participating but also monopolizing the title in 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and up to 2025. This unprecedented achievement reflects the continued high performance and professionalism of the Yazeed Racing team, which succeeded in winning all three rounds in the 2025 season, despite the great challenges that the team faced.
Overcoming injury and making a strong comeback
The 2025 season was far from easy; it presented a dramatic challenge when Al-Rajhi suffered a back injury during the Jordan Baja. However, the Saudi champion's determination proved stronger than the obstacles. He underwent an intensive rehabilitation program and quickly returned behind the wheel, demonstrating that physical and mental fitness are integral to a champion's character. This was clearly evident in the Jeddah Baja, where Al-Rajhi reached peak readiness and deservedly secured his fifth title.
Advanced technical strategy towards Dakar 2026
In collaboration with their technical partner Overdrive, the Al-Rajhi team underwent a rigorous and intensive technical program. The Jeddah round was used to test an upgraded version of the Toyota Hilux , which proved highly effective in handling challenging terrain. Al-Rajhi emphasized that these tests are not merely preparation for the local championship, but rather the true beginning of preparations for the 2026 Dakar Rally .
In a statement, Al-Rajhi said: "Praise be to God for crowning 2025 with a fifth consecutive title. We had a strong season, and despite the injury, I returned to achieve victory. Now we are focusing on Dakar, and we are ready to defend our titles and deliver another world-class season." He indicated that navigator Timo Gottschalk and the technical team are in top form for the upcoming global challenge.
The rise of Saudi motorsports
Al-Rajhi’s achievements cannot be separated from the general context of the tremendous development that Saudi sports are witnessing under Vision 2030. On this occasion, Al-Rajhi expressed his gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Automobiles and Motorcycles, praising the unlimited support that contributed to raising the level of competition and developing Saudi talents, making the Kingdom a preferred global destination for the most prominent international rallies.
