Nasser Al-Attiyah Seals Dakar 2026 Crown

Dakar Rally, Sportrik Media - Nasser Al-Attiyah (Car) secured his sixth Dakar Rally victory in 2026 after mastering one of the most competitive editions in recent memory, leading Dacia Sandriders to overall honours ahead of Ford and Toyota.

The 2026 Dakar was defined by depth of competition, with 10 different drivers from five manufacturers claiming individual stage wins. Ford emerged as a major force during the opening week, as its factory line-up maximised the potential of the updated Raptor, while Toyota and Dacia experienced fluctuating form amid demanding navigation, limited-assistance regulations, and highly varied terrain.

Al-Attiyah’s campaign turned decisively on Stage 6, where he claimed his first stage win and moved to the top of the overall standings. A measured approach to risk management, combined with two strategically timed stage victories, allowed the Qatari to capitalise as several rivals fell victim to navigation errors, penalties, or mechanical issues.

The decisive shift came during the second marathon sequence. Navigation mistakes cost Mattias Ekström and Mitch Guthrie significant time, while Carlos Sainz was hampered by a waypoint penalty that effectively removed him from contention. Toyota’s challenge collapsed on Stage 11 when Henk Lategan lost over four hours due to a broken wheel nut, leaving Nani Roma as Al-Attiyah’s sole realistic challenger.

Armed with a double-digit time advantage heading into the final two days, Al-Attiyah controlled the closing stages without unnecessary risk, reaching the finish with a winning margin of 9 minutes 42 seconds. The result marked his sixth Dakar triumph with four different manufacturers, placing him within two victories of the benchmark set by Stéphane Peterhansel.

The fight for the remaining podium positions went down to the final day. Ekström ultimately secured third place after a consistently strong rally, fending off pressure from Sébastien Loeb. Further back, Mathieu Serradori delivered a standout performance for Century, while Toyota’s best results came from Toby Price and Seth Quintero, underlining a campaign marked by speed but undermined by technical setbacks.

Dakar Rally 2026 – Final Overall Standings (Cars)