Pau Navarro has gone from being an emerging prodigy and world runner-up to betting his future on the Dakar. “This is competing in a complex world. I know what I’m capable of. If someone could see me for who I am, I would be grateful. Whatever has to happen will happen.”

in the case of Pau Navarro (2004/05/27, Girona, Llagostera) This is a clear example of how difficult it is to find a place in a world as complex and rich as Dakar. The 21-year-old Catalan driver has gained an incredible amount of experience at his age in the world’s toughest races. He grew up surrounded by engines and racing from his father’s Santi Navarro team (FN Speed). This team had been present in Dakar for many years and supported multiple vehicles. That structure made him the youngest person ever to debut at Dakar 2021 as a truck co-pilot at just 16 years old.,and, At Dakar 2023, shortly after obtaining his license, he made his debut behind the wheel of an SSV (light vehicle derived from the series) with the letter “L” on the back of the vehicle.

His rise from there was meteoric. Many saw in him one of the greatest hopes for the future of raiding around the world. So, just one year later, At the age of 19, he made the leap to the highest category of cars with the help of one of Dakar’s best structures, the X-Raid.Carlos Sainz became the champion in 2020. Pau drove a MINI. He made his dream come true. But it soon turned into a nightmare. During Stage 2, he suffered an accident in which he fell over and fractured his navicular bone.

Unable to prove his worth, he withdrew at the first chance, and just three weeks later he was unable to recover and had to sit out the match injured to get another chance. But that option has disappeared.

“Ever since I started racing, I was always very aware that racing in the Dakar was a privilege. Going with the Mini T1+ was very nice and was a step to see if I could settle there. But it didn’t turn out the way I wanted.” And we realize that in stage 2 mini we had to give up and it didn’t give us a chance to show who we are. ”the pilot recalled to the MD.

From there he had to go against the flow. At the last minute, participation in the Challenger category of Dakar 2025 was closed. (a lightweight prototype) and despite many breakdowns in his vehicle, he was able to make an extraordinary comeback. Until I got to the podium (3rd place).

One of the favorites to win the Dakar

After a year he will be back here again Dakar 2026’s main purpose is to have fun. It sounds trite, but the answer speaks for itself. He knows he can win. He has a great co-driver in 23-year-old Jan Rosa, who has won the Classic division for the second year in a row. And this year He accompanied Pau to the W2RC World Rally Raid in the Challenger. In his debut at Speed. And things went great. They fought for the title in a close battle with the reigning Dakar champion. He won the Morocco Rally, which was a prelude to this event, and was runner-up in the world championships.

But Paul He knows this could be his last Dakar, so he’s just going to enjoy it. He lost Red Bull’s support in this Dakar and ended up closing his sponsorship in the final months. Seen as the next world star, he approached this Dakar with the idea of ​​shining brightly so that it would not be his last.

“It’s a turning point.”

“Fortunately, I have one more Dakar, which means I will have six Dakars at the age of 21. I know I can achieve very good results. But you have to prove it. And if later someone finds out what I am and what I can do, I will be grateful. “Whatever has to happen will happen.” I expressed this to the MD.

“This year is a turning point, and if I don’t find something for next year, it will be over. I wish I could write a book, but in the end it may end up being just one chapter. We have to recognize that we have to compete in a very complex world. So, I want to not hold back in anything, have fun, and work hard every day.”, And let’s see what happens next year. ”Pau added. His words were not one of resignation. He is already a mature and realistic boy. Gone is the quiet, introverted kid who learned how to navigate the Dakar thanks to video games. Therefore, he has already started working in the machinery rental company he founded with his father and uncle. That could be your future. But he wants to continue racing. And no matter what happens, he will face his fate without regret.

“I’m happy. If it happens, it happens. I’ve been racing in my dream car, the MINI. I was lucky enough to drive it, albeit for a short period of time. I was unlucky to have the chance to have my dream car. I think it helped me become who I am and change my mindset when faced with challenges,” he explained..

“Last year, it was difficult for me to complete Stage 2 because of the memories of the previous year. I ran the entire stage thinking, ‘Let’s call it a day.'” There were many nights when I dreamed that I was still inside the spinning MINI. But then he finished on the podium at Dakar 2025. He already left that backpack behind. “We’re going to have fun. The atmosphere within our team and with Jan was great and we maintained our friendship throughout the World Cup. We enjoyed every race and had a great time like little kids.” And we hope it will be the same in Dakar. We are foolish, we sing before we go on stage, and we give everything on stage. But above all, we want this Dakar to mark us. ”he finished.