Pitstop arrives in Dakar: one of the new features of the 2026 edition

A few weeks ago, Dakar revealed the route for the 2026 edition. There are 13 stages (plus a prologue) and 2 clear goals. The idea is to maintain the high level of difficulty from the previous year, and to keep that level of difficulty the same for two weeks. Therefore, each of the two weeks contains the same elements. Like a day of 100% sand The marathon stage, the first part of which is the so-called “Evacuation camp” A place to spend the night away from mechanical support and equipment, with a minimum level of comfort for each participant. Sleeping bags, tents, and military rations.

However, if there is any cause for concern for participants, it is the return of the stone after the 2025 edition, which was friendlier in that sense. Everyone remembered the torture from years ago. This torture ended the hopes of many potential winners at the first opportunity as they were stabbed multiple times. But Dakar director David Castella wanted to reassure everyone. He asserted yesterday that he had invented a solution many years ago by removing the most affected sections of stone and even, as he told MD, creating “pit stop” areas using stones in some stages (1, 2, 11).

How do Dakar pit stops work?

In these specific areas, the organization will allow support trucks to wait until the driver offers a tire change or possible replacement. Competitors who wish to do so may stop and replace all installed and spare wheels for the remainder of the day, thus forgoing downtime.

Castella hopes to continue to allow punctures to be part of the game, but not to take all contenders off the board at the same time, as happened, for example, in one of the most complicated Dakar starts in recent years. It’s torture. That’s what happened in 2021, when icons like Sebastien Loeb suffered three punctures on Stage 1 and claimed it was “one of the toughest stages” he had ever experienced as he reached the finish line.. Last year, stones weren’t the main character, but in this edition they make a comeback. 2026 in the early stages Coach David Castella is putting a lot of effort into it, and even in the 11th round, two days after the end, This shows that drivers cannot relax until they cross the finish line.

stronger tires

In that sense, Armando Monleon, Toby Price’s co-driver for the official Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, highlighted his great progress. BFGoodricha tire supplier, has wheels that are more resistant on stones and has already given great results in the past morocco rallyArmando marveled at the fact that his previous tire didn’t go flat where it did. All this should ensure that the race is not decided exclusively by stones, but continues to be fought evenly and with excitement to the end. But be careful, warns Armando. As tires last longer, drivers will pick up the pace. And there can be errors and other mechanical problems.