Nasser Al-Attiyah wins the Baja Hail with Max Delfino and MD Rallye Sport

The thirst for victory is therefore not quenched by a success on the rallyThe world's most famous rally. Although Nasser Al-Attiyah began 2026 with a Dakar victory alongside Fabian Lurquin, the Qatari driver didn't take the time to celebrate his sixth Dakar win. In the second half of January, he participated in the Oman International Rally, the opening round of the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). By winning the event—his 92nd MERC victory—Al-Attiyah capped off a particularly successful January.

February is off to a great start so far, as the bronze medalist in shooting at the London Games (2012) has secured another victory. This time, he triumphed at the Baja Hail, driving the Optimus prepared by the French team MD Rallye Sport. For the occasion, Nasser Al-Attiyah traded his Dacia Sandrider T1+ for MD's two-wheel-drive buggy, which finished 15th in the last Dakar Rally with Simon Vitse at the wheel.

Al-Attiyah was also co-piloted by Vitse's usual navigator, the experienced Max Delfino, one of the leading French co-pilots. The duo beat Yazeed Al-Rajhi, winner of the 2025 Dakar Rally, who was present with his Toyota Hilux T1+. The podium is completed by another Saudi, Dania Akeel, who finished 8th in the last Dakar in Challenger, achieving eight stage podiums in the category, without however winning one.

Finally, Akira Miura, eight-time Dakar winner in the Stock category, got his first taste of the new Hilux T1+ by finishing fifth. Expected to join the official Toyota team for the next Dakar, the Japanese driver is gradually getting to grips with the vehicle.

For Nasser Al-Attiyah, the next round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) will be the Rally-Raid of Portugal, from March 17 to 22. The Qatari driver, leading the overall standings after his Dakar victory, will attempt to reclaim his world championship title. A three-time defending champion since the championship's inception in 2022, he relinquished his crown to Lucas Moraes at the end of last season. The Brazilian has since moved from Toyota to Dacia, while Toyota is now placing all its bets on Henk Lategan, third in the last championship and runner-up in the 2025 Dakar Rally.

ALSO READ > Stéphane Peterhansel, back from the 2026 Dakar Rally: "I've rediscovered the joy of riding"