Qatari driver Nasser Al Attiyah leads the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the intensity of Dakar Rally competition. After six tough stages covering nearly 1,000 kilometers, crews reached Riyadh for the mid-rally rest day. The event tests endurance, navigation, and vehicle performance across Saudi Arabia’s harsh terrain.
Al Attiyah took the overall lead by winning the 326-kilometer stage from Ha’il to Riyadh. He finished ahead of teammate Sébastien Loeb. The first week of the seventh Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia showed extreme terrain, dramatic moments, and fierce competition. Five different stage winners and four changes in the overall lead already thrilled fans.
This stage marked Al Attiyah’s 49th career Dakar stage victory. It also extended his streak to 19 consecutive rallies with at least one stage win. Al Attiyah said he paced himself during the first five days but pushed hard on the Ha’il-Riyadh stage. He added the car performed well and the team managed minor issues, including a few punctures.
The rally began on January 2 in Yanbu along the Red Sea. X-Raid Mini driver Guillaume de Mévius won the opening stage alongside co-driver Mathieu Baumel. De Mévius’ return, a year after losing his right leg in an accident, became one of the most inspiring stories of the 2026 Dakar Rally competition.
Saudi Arabia’s terrain shaped the T1 Ultimate class into a three-way battle between Toyota, Ford, and Dacia. Toyota claimed three stage wins. Henk Lategan trails Al Attiyah by just six minutes. Ford drivers Nani Roma, Carlos Sainz, and Mattias Ekström hold the next three positions. Unfortunately, Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi retired on Stage 4 due to multiple punctures. This ended his hopes for a home victory.
In the bike category, defending champion Daniel Sanders leads for Red Bull KTM, despite winning only one stage so far. A six-minute penalty on Stage 6 reduced his lead to 45 seconds. Rivals Ricky Brabec and Luciano Benavides remain close behind.
As the Dakar Rally competition enters its second week on January 11, Saudi Arabia’s vast landscapes, technical navigation, and high-speed stages will determine the overall winner. Fans await the final seven stages with excitement.
