This Friday marks the start of the highly anticipated Dakar 2025, the 47th edition of the world's most iconic and challenging rally, which, despite no longer being Paris-Dakar, continues to have "Smell of Africa".

Held in Saudi Arabia since 2020, the Dakar Rally has established itself as an epic event that brings together elite drivers, courageous amateurs, and vehicles prepared to face the most inhospitable terrain.

This year, the organizers promise to raise the bar, reinforcing its reputation as an odyssey of endurance and resilience. With a total route of 7.700 kilometers, 5.100 of which will be raced against the clock, the competition features new elements that promise to surprise even the most experienced participants.

Among the new features is the implementation of a digital roadbook, which makes navigation more challenging, and the inclusion of red flags to reinforce safety in the dunes. These adjustments demonstrate the organization's commitment to adapting the event to modern challenges while preserving the essence of adventure and competition that defines the Dakar.

But the true heart of the Dakar 2025 lies in its route. The start in Bisha and the finish in Shubaytah traverse the magnificent landscapes of the Saudi desert, including the legendary Empty Quarter.

The 48-hour timed stages and the marathon test the skills and endurance of the drivers, while the absence of the quad category and the departure of the electric Audis demonstrate the constant changes in the race landscape.

An epic journey through Saudi Arabia

The 2025 edition begins in Bisha, a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia, and covers 12 stages to Shubaytah, totaling 7.700 kilometers. This route, carefully designed by the organizers, challenges riders to overcome extreme terrain, from endless dunes to rocky trails.

Highlights include the demanding 48-hour timed stage at the start and the return marathon stage, where riders face the desert without mechanical assistance. The Empty Quarter Desert, one of the largest in the world, is the main stage for the second half of the route.

Its vastness and unpredictability make it a true test of navigation and endurance, demanding absolute technical and physical mastery from participants. It is in this fantastic setting that dreams can be made or broken, with stages that blend adrenaline and strategy.

Strengthening Security and Technological Innovations

Among this year's new features, a digital roadbook will be used by all participants, making navigation more accurate and reducing the risk of accidents. This system, introduced gradually in previous editions, is now the standard for motorcycles, cars, and trucks, ensuring greater fairness and safety.

Another highlight is the red flag raised two meters above the vehicles, a measure that improves visibility in the dunes. This innovation addresses recurring concerns about collisions in low-visibility terrain, helping to preserve the safety of competitors.

Furthermore, the Dakar 2025 features new technological challenges, such as the "Mission 1000 Challenge," which introduces futuristic vehicles in extreme conditions. This project, aligned with global sustainability trends, demonstrates the Dakar's commitment to innovation without losing the essence of the competition.

The Big Names in Action

The 2025 Dakar Rally brings together an elite group of drivers who promise intense battles. World champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, now with Dacia, is one of the favorites, while Sébastien Loeb is looking to confirm his off-road talent. Toyota is betting on Saudi Arabian Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Brazilian Lucas Moraes, while Ford is welcoming Carlos Sainz, who is seeking his fifth title.

On the motorcycle side, the focus is on Ross Branch, who's aiming for his first victory for Hero, and on the strong Honda team led by Pablo Quintanilla and Ricky Brabec. KTM, meanwhile, faces financial challenges but is banking on talents like Daniel Sanders and Edgar Canet, the latter just 19 years old.

The Dakar Rally, originally known as Paris-Dakar, was born on December 26, 1978, as a result of chance and a bold vision. It all began when Frenchman Thierry Sabine, lost in the desert during the Abidjan-Nice rally, was captivated by the vastness of the dunes and envisioned a competition that would test the limits of human and mechanical endurance.

Thus, the first edition departed from Paris with 170 participants, and after 10 kilometers of extreme challenges, only 69 reached Dakar, Senegal, writing the first chapters of an epic that would become legendary. In the following decades, the Dakar grew as a symbol of adventure and resilience, attracting the world's best drivers and courageous amateurs.

The Dakar was more than just a rally; it was a test of survival. Competitors faced Africa's arid and treacherous landscapes, with endless dunes, rugged terrain, scorching temperatures, and unforeseen events like armed conflict and sandstorms.

Each edition was a new epic narrative, marked by dramatic victories and historic feats, such as Ari Vatanen's triumph in 1987 or Stephane Peterhansel's 14 victories, eight in cars and six on motorcycles, which earned him the title of "Mr. Dakar."

The Fatalities

However, the Dakar also has a dark side. More than 70 lives have been lost throughout its editions, including that of its founder, Thierry Sabine, who died in a helicopter crash in 1986, along with four others.

These tragedies are not limited to pilots; journalists, organizers, and spectators have also perished at the event, fueling both its mystique and the need for enhanced safety measures.

The Dakar in South America

Over time, geopolitical changes and growing risks in Africa forced the Dakar organizers to rethink their route. The 2008 edition was canceled due to terrorist threats in Mauritania, a blow that raised serious doubts about the race's future on the African continent.

Faced with this scenario, in 2009, the Dakar Rally found a new home in South America, marking one of the biggest changes in the competition's history. The transition to South America was a risky decision, but it quickly proved successful. The continent, with its geographic and cultural diversity, offered the event new challenges and a warm welcome.

Participants faced stunning and treacherous landscapes, including the towering Andes Mountains, the arid Atacama Desert, and the vast plains of Argentina. This new phase brought a unique dynamism to the Dakar, maintaining the essence of the challenge while attracting millions of new fans.

The years in South America were marked by unforgettable moments and intense rivalries. Renowned drivers like Carlos Sainz shone in dramatic stages, while new talents emerged to challenge the veterans.

The competition became more accessible to local drivers, allowing South American talents such as Argentines Kevin Benavides (motorbikes) and Orlando Terranova (cars) to leave their mark on Dakar history.

Saudi Arabia, the Current Stage

However, despite its success on the continent, the race faced challenges again. Increasing difficulties in securing funding and logistical support from some countries led the organization to seek a new location. In 2020, the Dakar moved again, this time to Saudi Arabia, marking a new chapter in its history.

Saudi Arabia proved to be a worthy stage for the Dakar. The vast Empty Quarter desert, one of the largest and most inhospitable in the world, brought back the atmosphere of isolation and danger that marked the African editions. The organizers took full advantage of the region's characteristics, designing courses that test the limits of navigation and the physical and mental endurance of the riders.

Furthermore, the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia has continued to evolve technically. The stages are meticulously planned, separating routes for motorcycles and cars across 45% of the route to increase safety, without abandoning the classic spirit that makes the Dakar Rally one of the most iconic competitions in the world.

This new phase has allowed the Dakar Rally to maintain a balance between tradition and innovation, exploring challenging and unprecedented landscapes. In Saudi Arabia, the competition reaffirms its status as a sporting epic, where each edition is a test of the human spirit, technical skill, and perseverance of all involved.

The Dakar Epic

The Dakar, over time, has become more than a competition; it's an epic stage for human stories. It's where amateurs realize their lifelong dreams, facing the same challenges as sporting legends, and where technological innovation meets endurance.

Today, the Dakar Rally continues to be a celebration of courage and resilience, perpetuating Thierry Sabine's legacy. Each edition adds new chapters to the history of motorsports, keeping alive the essence of a competition that demands the utmost from those who dare to challenge the impossible.

The 2025 Dakar promises to be incredibly challenging; it will clearly be a celebration of the human spirit and the ability to face the unknown. From the technical challenges to the stunning landscapes of the Saudi desert, every kilometer covered will tell a story of endurance, courage, and resilience.

As the race progresses, drivers and teams will face more than just their opponents; they'll have to face the unforgiving nature of the desert. And, as always, the Dakar won't just reveal the winners; it will celebrate all those who dare to participate in this epic.