The 2025 Dakar Rally promises to be one of the most exciting in recent history, with several manufacturers and drivers capable of winning the famous Touareg trophy.
The rally-raid will begin on 3 January with the Prologue in Bisha and conclude on 17 January in Shubaytah after 12 stages and more than 5,000 kilometres of running across Saudi Arabia.
Here’s a list of drivers considered to be the favourites for top honours in the Ultimate category:
Carlos Sainz, Lucas Cruz, Ford Raptor T1+
Photo by: Ford
Having scored victory for Audi on its farewell appearance in Dakar, Carlos Sainz Sr is now embracing a new challenge with Ford and M-Sport.
The Spaniard may be 62 years old, but he is taking on Dakar with the same enthusiasm as always. If he wins in 2025, it would be his fifth overall triumph in Dakar, although it won’t be an easy feat as the Raptor is still in its early days of competition and hasn’t accrued mileage in an event of this scale.
Ford was able to put the car through its paces in Rally Morocco, where Sainz came close to a stage win before being hit by technical troubles. But compared to some of the other vehicles in the field, Ford’s new challenger is still a relatively unproven quantity.
That said, Sainz has to be considered a favourite for victory given his extensive appearance in Dakar. Having participated in the event a total of 17 times with a wide variety of manufacturers and taken 42 stage wins and four overall victories, it would be foolish to rule him out of this year’s reckoning.
#200 Nasser Racing Prodrive Hunter: Nasser Al-Attiyah
Photo by: A.S.O.
Hailing from the Middle East, Nasser Al-Attiyah is always a serious threat in Dakar Rally. With five overall wins in 20 appearances, plus 11 podiums and 48 individual stage wins, he is now within touching distance of Stephane Peterhansel and Ari Vatanen’s records on four wheels.
Although the Dacia Sandrider is a new car, Al-Attiyah will be able to count on the experience Prodrive gained in the development of the Hunter. Moreover, the Renault Group carried out a demanding testing programme to get everything ready for January. The hard work already paid off with victory in the Rally Morocco, making Dacia the manufacturer to beat in Saudi Arabia.
Sebastien Loeb
Sebastien Loeb, Dacia Sandrider
Photo by: Dacia
One of the greatest rally drivers of all time, Sebastien Loeb continues to chase a maiden victory in Dakar. Having been on…
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