Yazeed Al Rajhi Claims Saudi Arabia Dakar Rally 2025 Title

Saudi rally champion Yazeed Al Rajhi made history by winning the Dakar Rally 2025 in the car category, becoming the first Saudi driver to achieve this monumental feat in the world’s most renowned rally. The sixth edition of the rally held in Saudi Arabia took place from January 3 to 17, organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Sports.
 Driving for Overdrive, Al Rajhi completed the rally's total distance in 52 hours, 52 minutes, and 15 seconds, finishing 3 minutes and 57 seconds ahead of South Africa’s Henk Lategan of Toyota Gazoo Racing. Sweden's Mattias Ekström of Ford Motorsport secured third place, trailing by 20 minutes and 21 seconds.
 Chairman of SAMF and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah bin Faisal extended his gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership and the Minister of Sports for this remarkable achievement, attributing the success to their unwavering support. He expressed hope that this milestone would pave the way for more significant Saudi accomplishments in motorsports.
 Prince Khalid emphasized the importance of this victory, stating: “This achievement is not just a title but a turning point for motorsports in Saudi Arabia, reflecting our aspirations and goals for this sport and paving the way for a bright future.”
 Al Rajhi expressed his immense pride in this historic victory for Saudi Arabia, crediting the relentless efforts and continuous support from SAMF. He described the title as the culmination of efforts in one of the world’s most challenging races.
 The final stage of the Dakar Rally 2025 concluded yesterday in Shubaytah, covering a distance of 131 km, including a 61 km timed section.