Dakar favorites in automotive and other categories: Sainz aims for fifth victory in an even battle against many rivals

Car favorites match. The race for the Dakar title in 2026 may be the closest yet. It’s not just because of the exciting performance battles between different vehicles with very uniform performance. If not, it’s because it contains a large number of pilots. At first glance, the traditional Three Musketeers coalition allows us to count 12 candidates. Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sebastien Loebanother legend of this sport, Nani Roma, and the maturity reached by the new generation of pilots are already all candidates.

So building a pool before the start of the toughest race on Earth on January 3rd is extremely difficult.

The battle between three great brands looks epic and exciting; toyotaits official and private structure overdriveDacia and Ford in a race where high pace is expected and where the details will decide the outcome. Facing a desert full of traps and the return of the terrifying stones on the first stage and penultimate day (Stage 11), it could become more of an endurance event than ever, with punctures and accidents eliminating anyone.

Toyota reborn as a champion

Toyota is defending its title with its private team Overdrive, which includes reigning champion Saudi Arabian billionaire Yazeed Al Rajhi, who has already shown that he understands that to win it is not enough to go at full speed, but that he must master pace management and risk assessment. Two young people join the official team Henk Lategan (2nd place in 2025) and Seth Quinteroin addition to double Dakar motorcycle champion Toby Price and co-pilot and current world champion Armando Monleon They want to achieve everything. Toyota GR Hilux Renewed and promises even more speed and resistance. Additionally, Toyota features Portuguese speed. Joan Ferreirayou should consider the most experienced brand of all your favorites.

Dacia’s “Dream Team”

Dacia has a new candidate “Dream Team”: FIA W2RC World Raid ChampionLucas Moraes. The 36-year-old Brazilian was surprised to leave Toyota to join a team full of “roosters”. With them, the “princes of the desert” Qataris Nasser Al-Attiyah aims for sixth titleThe first prototype of the Romanian-born brand, which will be participating in the Dakar in its second year of prototyping, is sandriderspromises better profits.

Sébastien Loeb will be hoping to score victory in the same car in his 10th participation in an event that is more difficult than expected for the nine-time world rally champion. and Christina GutierrezIn his second season in the top category, he will be able to aim for a top-five finish and a stage win.

Sainz and Roma want to reign

before everyone is measured Carlos Sainz and his “copy” Lucas Cruz, the fifth centerOr the highly evolved Ford Raptor, now in its second year with five different brands. Also Nani Roma and Alex HaroFolgerol, who is aiming for his third crown (he won one in cars and one in motorcycles), will take third place in 2025, along with another versatile Matthias Ekström, who must always be considered. More than a dozen drivers are eager to win. Only one person can win. Impressions are guaranteed

challenger

Pau Navarro faces a golden opportunity

Pau Navarro aims for the crown dakar in challenger And for this he collaborated with one of the co-pilots with the best predictions of the future. Yan Rosa, the sailor who won the Dakar Classic for the second time in a rowPeople who want to shine with speed next to Pau who is aiming for the table. Now 21 years old, Pau has undergone a remarkable transformation.

Participating in these five races helped him improve. Even the bad moments. He made his debut in the Dakar at the age of 16, the youngest ever to do so as a co-pilot in a truck. He made his debut as a pilot in 2023 at the age of 18 and achieved a top 10 in SSV. And in 2024, the 19-year-old made the leap to the premier category with Mini X-Raid. Many considered him one of the most promising drivers in the world. However, an accident on stage 2 forced him to abandon the race. That chance disappeared and it looked like he would race again in a Ford, but in the end he entered Dakar 2025 in a Challenger. Despite many mechanical problems, he made a spectacular comeback and finished in 3rd place.

He arrived in Dakar after finishing runner-up in the FIA ​​Raid Rally World Challenger and winning the Rally du Maroc.. Pau and Jean want to reign in order to once again dream of a great future for Dakarian. Competition will be tough in a very open and competitive category. The rivals to defeat are the current world champion and the current Dakar winner. Argentinian couple formed by Cabigliasso and PertegariniI trusted the new team that my friend had recently formed and decided to take part in the World Championship at the Rally du Maroc. Catalan pilot Oscar Lalcreated vertical motorsportthey ask for a second scepter. Saudi Danians Aqeel and Yasir Seeidan are aiming to dominate on their home turf in the class where two-wheeled champion Kevin Benavidez will make his four-wheeled debut. In the race for victory, it is also important to keep an eye on local drivers Dania Aqeel and fellow Saudi Arabian Yasir Sidan.

SSV

Gerard Fares, to shine

Gerard Fares is one of the drivers with the highest quality and speed in the light vehicle (SSV) category.although it wasn’t in my favorites before the race started. He knows that the official organization is updating and renewing the vehicles and all the resources to aim for victory. But few have the skill and experience of the great Catalan family. The Pedrega team pursues brilliance, recognizing the many changes that can occur until the end in the general battle of SSV, where many problems usually occur And an error. Anything can happen. Like last year when Gerard finished 6th.

Fares will be in his second year with Toni Wingat.which went through six quad editions before debuting last year as a co-pilot. The Manrue-based rider achieved an unforgettable two-wheeled podium in 2017 with Spanish privateer team Himoinsa in front of everyone involved. What if he repeats that feat? Categories have an obligation to do so.

Four-wheeled debut Achieved a podium in SSV in 2019 (2nd place) and a podium in 2022 (2nd place)an edition where, when he was the leader a few kilometers from the final goal, he had to stop to give the leader the victory. He demonstrated his humanity and the value of his words. He had been hired to help. And he did it even though victory was right in front of him.

Now, Gerrard will be up against drivers who start by increasing their choice of vehicles a priori. Brock Hager, Alexandre Pinto, “Chaleco” Lopez, Xavier de Soultrait, and more.

More prominent Spaniards will appear in SSV, including co-drivers.