The 2025 Dakar Rally kicked off on January 3rd in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, with a route that spans from Bisha to Shubaytah. This year’s event includes a challenging three-day trek through uncharted desert terrain, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the already grueling race.
As the first major motorsport event of the year, the Dakar Rally draws competitors from around the world to take on its demanding course. For 2025, the race has been made even tougher, building on the 48-hour stage introduced in the 2024 edition. The distance of this stage has increased significantly, from 572 kilometers in 2024 to an impressive 967 kilometers this year. In addition to traversing roughly 100 kilometers of sand each day, drivers face a variety of terrains and obstacles, pushing both their skills and their vehicles to the limit.
The opening stages were not without drama. Carlos Sainz’s Ford Raptor overturned, while Sebastien Loeb encountered mechanical issues, leaving the spotlight on two standout Arab drivers—Yazid Al Rajhi and Nasser Al-Attiyah.
Saudi Arabian driver Yazid Al Rajhi, behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux, completed the stage in 10 hours, 32 minutes, and 54 seconds. He finished 4 minutes and 29 seconds ahead of Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah, who was driving a Dacia.
By the end of the stage, South African driver Henk Lategan had claimed the overall lead, holding a 4-minute, 45-second advantage over Al Rajhi. Al-Attiyah rounded out the top three, nearly seven minutes behind the leader.
