The Dacia Sandriders are set to face motorsport’s toughest challenge for the second time as they compete in the Dakar Rally from 3 to 17 January 2026.
After a strong season last year, Dacia, known for its outdoor spirit, earned a stage win in its Dakar Rally debut and took two victories in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
Since it began, the Dakar Rally has tested drivers, navigators, and vehicles in a unique contest of reliability, endurance, and skill across some of the world’s toughest terrain.
This event is an ideal platform for Dacia to showcase its brand values and align with Dakar’s spirit of adventure. It attracts people who seek challenges, are passionate about the outdoors, and want to feel alive.
The Dacia Sandriders are heading back to Saudi Arabia with a team of four, aiming for more success in the first round of the 2026 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
Over two weeks, the team will race against the clock across dunes, rough tracks, and rocky paths as they begin their W2RC title campaign.
Four of the sport’s top driver and navigator pairs will tackle the demanding 7,994-kilometre route from Yanbu on the Red Sea and back.
Nasser Al-Attiyah, with 21 Dakar starts and five wins, brings valuable experience to the team. The 55-year-old Qatari, a three-time W2RC champion and last season’s runner-up, will be joined by Belgian navigator Fabian Lurqin.
Praised for their support in the 2025 Dakar Rally, Cristina Gutiérrez and Pablo Moreno from Spain return determined to show their skills. They want to build on the promise they showed in three W2RC events for the Dacia Sandriders last year. A nine-time winner of the FIA World Rally Championship, he is joined for his 10th Dakar by Frenchman Édouard Boulanger, the 2025 W2RC champion navigator. After retiring from the Dakar Rally 12 months ago following an accident on Stage 3, 51-year-old Loeb is determined to improve on his previous best Dakar Rally result of second place, achieved in 2017, 2022 and 2023.
Defending FIA World Rally-Raid champion Lucas Moraes from Brazil joins the Dacia Sandriders with his new German navigator, Dennis Zenz. Moraes finished on the Dakar podium in his 2023 debut, while Zenz was runner-up in his class that year.
All four teams will drive upgraded four-wheel-drive Dacia Sandrider cars, powered by ARAMCO sustainable fuel and fitted with BFGoodrich tyres.
FAQ’s…
What is the purpose of the Dacia Sandriders participating in the Dakar Rally 2026?
The Dacia Sandriders aim to showcase their outdoor spirit, test their vehicles’ reliability and endurance, and align their brand values with the adventurous spirit of the Dakar Rally.
Who are the key drivers in the Dacia Sandriders team for Dakar 2026?
The key drivers include Nasser Al-Attiyah, Cristina Gutiérrez, Pablo Moreno, and Lucas Moraes, each bringing extensive experience and skill to the team.
What challenges do the teams face during the Dakar Rally?
Teams face challenging terrains including dunes, rough tracks, and rocky paths over a 7,994-kilometre route, testing their vehicles’ reliability, drivers’ endurance, and navigation skills.
What vehicles are the Dacia Sandriders using for the 2026 Dakar Rally?
They are using upgraded four-wheel-drive Dacia Sandrider cars powered by ARAMCO sustainable fuel and fitted with BFGoodrich tyres.
How does the Dakar Rally benefit the Dacia brand?
The rally provides a platform to demonstrate their resilience and adventure spirit, appealing to individuals passionate about outdoor challenges and difficult terrains.
