Dacia Sandriders Win the Dakar Rally in a Historic Motorsport Triumph​

The Dacia Sandriders have officially won the 48th Dakar Rally, the most demanding race in international motorsport. In an extraordinary performance, driver Nasser Al Attiyah and navigator Fabian Lurquin secured a dominant victory, finishing almost ten minutes ahead of the competition. This landmark achievement comes in only Dacia’s second appearance in the FIA World Rally Raid Championship, firmly establishing the brand as a serious force in elite off road racing.

​Winning the Dakar Rally is regarded as the ultimate test of endurance, strategy and mechanical reliability. Over nearly eight thousand kilometres of extreme terrain in Saudi Arabia, the Dacia Sandriders proved their capability across sand dunes, rocky mountain tracks and high speed desert stages.​

A Dakar Rally Victory Built on Performance and Reliability

Across thirteen punishing days of competition, the Dacia Sandriders delivered consistent top level performance. The team recorded two stage victories and remained inside the overall top three for all but one stage of the rally. This level of consistency highlights the strength of the Dacia Sandrider vehicle and the expertise of the engineering team behind it.

Dacia’s reputation for designing robust and adventure ready vehicles was reinforced on the world’s toughest rally stage. The Sandrider’s durability and performance played a critical role alongside the skill, experience and determination of the drivers and navigators.

Final Stage Control Secures Dakar Rally Win

​Heading into the final stage around Yanbu, Nasser Al Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin held a commanding lead of more than sixteen minutes. The final timed section featured challenging gravel tracks through mountainous terrain where precision driving was essential.

Rather than pushing unnecessarily, the winning crew focused on control and consistency. Their measured approach ensured a safe finish and confirmed their Dakar Rally victory by nine minutes and forty two seconds, demonstrating the importance of strategy and composure in rally raid racing.

A Milestone Achievement for the Dacia Brand

Dacia CEO Katrin Adt described the victory as the proudest moment in the brand’s history. Winning the Dakar Rally so early in the team’s journey highlights the dedication, passion and technical excellence behind the Dacia Sandriders project.

The result proves that Dacia’s core values of reliability, toughness and practicality translate seamlessly from road cars to the most extreme motorsport environments.

Why the Dacia Sandriders Dakar Rally Win Matters

The Dacia Sandriders Dakar Rally victory is more than just a motorsport success. It is a statement of intent. In one of the toughest races on the planet, Dacia has proven that innovation, teamwork and resilience can deliver results at the highest level.

As the FIA World Rally Raid Championship continues, the Dacia Sandriders are no longer newcomers. They are champions.