There is only one day to go for the start of the Dakar 2021 (3-15 January), and the 560 participants from 49 different countries are getting ready for the challenge in Saudi Arabia… despite COVID threat.   

This time around, all of the contenders are facing the race with very little previous practice as the spread of the Coronavirus has forced the cancellation of most of the year’s races.

Only the Rally of Andalusia, which was organised to replace the cancelled Rally of Morocco, served as a preliminary test in an unusual season disturbed by the pandemic. 

Added to the lack of preparation, the route of this second consecutive Saudi Dakar is completely new in eighty per cent of its itinerary. The route is 7,646 kilometres long divided into twelve stages, 4,767 of which are timed.

Among them is, of course, the dreaded but legendary ‘marathon’ stage. The day with no technical assistance will take place after a rest day in Ha’il. 

As a novelty to this edition, the delivery of an extra tire during that stage will carry a fifteen-minute penalty, which will increase to half an hour in the case of needing two new tires. Therefore, in the previous stage, participants must take great care of their compounds. 

Another of this edition’s new features is the electronic format of the ‘road book’, which, to add an extra layer of difficulty and fairness, will only be handed in a few minutes before the start of each day. 

Sainz and Peterhansel: MINI’s frontmen 

At a purely competitive level, MINI and Toyota, the two favourites and strongest teams on the grid, are expected to feature in another of their intense duels.

Not surprisingly, their respective frontmen, Stephane Peterhansel (2004, 05, 07, 12, 13, 16, 17) and Carlos Sainz (2010, 18, 20) with the German team, and Nasser Al-Attiyah (2011, 15, 19) with the Japanese, accumulate thirteen Dakar, statuettes between them.

Since 2010, in fact, the three champions have been the sole winners of the desert race with the exception of 2014 when Nani Roma managed to break their reign. 

This backdrop is the perfect breeding ground for another epic battle. This year, the Spaniard and the Qatari are thought to have a certain advantage over the French veteran. Sainz, for his part, has arrived in Saudi Arabia with the clear intention of defending his 2020 crown tooth and nail. 

With Lucas Cruz, his usual navigator, by his side, Sainz will get behind the wheel of the MINI John Cooper Works Buggy for the third year in a row, a versatile and fearsome contender. One of El Matador’s greatest rivals will be his own teammate, the most successful Dakar Rally veteran, Stephen Peterhansel. 

Al-Attiyad: To win in hostile territory 

Nasser will try and reclaim the throne he lost at the hands of Sainz in 2020 after having won his third crown in the farewell event of the South American continent in 2019.

Their rivalry comes from far back and this upcoming edition will be a new and exciting chapter of that saga. At Sainz’ last two victories, in fact, Al-Attiyah has finished in second place. To make things even more exciting, their machines are very similar as far as their technical specs are concerned. 

Damned by the intense national rivalry between his native Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the Toyota leader would be delighted to wave his country’s flag on enemy soil.

But regardless of geopolitical issues, Nasser wants to take his back on the Spaniard. At stake is the honour of becoming the second most successful Dakar driver in history behind Peterhansel, an unattainable legend with his seven wins under his belt. 

To attempt his dream, Nasser will debut a Toyota Hilux based on the 2020 production model. The Japanese 4×4 boasts a 16 valves diesel engine, with 204 hp, 500 Nm of maximum torque and automatic transmission. Nasser’s natural desert driving skills coupled with his excellent vehicle make him a clear favourite for the title.

Images of Dakar 2021: X-Raid Team.