LUSAIL (Qatar): This weekend, the Qatar International Rally marks a significant milestone – its 50th anniversary. Since its debut in 1975, the rally has evolved into one of the most prominent motorsport events in Asia. As the second round of the 2024 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), this anniversary celebration underscores the rally’s profound impact on the region’s motorsport landscape.
Considered one of the oldest rallies in the Middle East, alongside events in Lebanon and Cyprus, the Qatar International Rally has transformed from a modest local competition into a major regional fixture. Over the years, Qatar has become synonymous with high-level rally racing, featuring an impressive list of champions such as Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, who holds the record for the most victories, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the current FIA President, who triumphed nine times. Another notable figure is Saeed Al-Hajri, who secured six wins, while defending MERC champion Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari claimed the title in 2012.
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, aiming for a 17th victory this year, has been a central figure in the rally since 1990. Reflecting on his journey, Al-Attiyah remembers his early years, including his first Qatar International Rally in 1990, where he was leading until mechanical failure. He returned victoriously in 2003, driving a Subaru Impreza WRC, and continued his success with different manufacturers and co-drivers over the years.
This year’s 50th-anniversary event features 29 teams from 19 countries, with 21 teams competing for points in the 2025 MERC. The rally is being held at the Lusail International Circuit, where teams will tackle six special gravel stages in the northern desert as part of their preparations. Technical scrutineering and reconnaissance will be held in anticipation of the weekend’s action.
Reflecting on the rally’s progress, Giovanni Bernacchini, a long-time co-driver who won the event four times with Al-Attiyah, shared his appreciation for the advancements made in rally stage marking and safety. Bernacchini, who began his collaboration with the Al-Attiyah team in 2009, commended the improvements in visibility on desert roads and the proximity of rally stages to the Lusail Circuit.
Rally enthusiast Nasser Bin Talibe Al-Marri, a lifelong follower of the event, also highlighted the rally’s transformation, from its early days at Khalifa Stadium to its current home at the Lusail Circuit. His social media blog preserves the rich history of the MERC, illustrating how the event mirrors the broader growth of motorsport in the region.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), led by President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari, and Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad, is spearheading the 50th-anniversary celebrations.
With a deep legacy and a competitive field, the Qatar International Rally promises an exciting weekend of motorsport and a fitting tribute to 50 years of excellence in Qatar.
List of Previous Qatar International Rally Winners:
- 1975: Peter Austin (GBR) / Hameed Abdel Rahman (QAT) – Mazda 929 Coupe
- 1977: John Blackwell (GBR) / John Rollings (GBR) – Mazda 808
- 1978: Harry Kallstrom (SWE) / Claes Billstam (SWE) – Datsun 160JSSS
- 1983: Saeed Al-Hajri (QAT) / John Spiller (GBR) – Opel Ascona 400
- 1984: Saeed Al-Hajri (QAT) / John Spiller (GBR) – Porsche 911 SC RS
- 1985: Saeed Al-Hajri (QAT) / John Spiller (GBR) – Porsche 911 SC RS
- 1986: Björn Waldegård (SWE) / Fred Gallagher (GBR) – Toyota Celica Twin Cam Turbo
- 1987: Saeed Al-Hajri (QAT) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Porsche 911 SC RS
- 1988: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Toyota Celica Twin Cam Turbo
- 1989: Saeed Al-Hajri (QAT) / Steve Bond (GBR) – Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
- 1990: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Toyota Celica GT4
- 1991: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Toyota Celica GT4
- 1992: Saeed Al-Hajri (QAT) / Mike Corner (GBR) – Toyota Celica GT4
- 1993: Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mubarak Al Hajri (QAT) – Toyota Celica GT4
- 1994: Suhail Bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum (UAE) / Khaled Malik (UAE) – Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
- 1995: Khalifa Al-Mutawei (UAE) / Mubarak Al-Hajri (QAT) – Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD
- 1996: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Ford Escort RS Cosworth
- 1997: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Ford Escort RS Cosworth
- 1998: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Ford Escort WRC
- 1999: Nizar Al-Shanfari (OMN) / Tom Steele (GBR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V
- 2000: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Ronan Morgan (IRL) – Ford Focus WRC
- 2001: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / Khaled Zakaria (JOR) – Ford Focus WRC
- 2002: Mohammed Ben Sulayem (UAE) / John Spiller (GBR) – Ford Focus WRC
- 2003: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Steve Lancaster (GBR) – Subaru Impreza WRC
- 2004: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Chris Patterson (GBR) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi ‘N’
- 2005: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Chris Patterson (GBR) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi ‘N’
- 2006: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Chris Patterson (GBR) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi ‘N’
- 2007: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Chris Patterson (GBR) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi ‘N’
- 2008: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Chris Patterson (GBR) – Subaru Impreza N14
- 2009: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Tina Thörner (SWE) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
- 2010: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) – Ford Fiesta S2000
- 2011: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) – Ford Fiesta S2000
- 2012: Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT) / Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) – Mini S2000
- 2013: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) – Ford Fiesta RRC
- 2014: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) – Ford Fiesta RRC
- 2015: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mathieu Baumel (FRA) – Ford Fiesta
- 2016: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mathieu Baumel (FRA) – Skoda Fabia R5 RRC
- 2017: Rashed Al-Naimi (QAT) / Hugo Magalhães (PRT) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi (MERC 2)
- 2018: Vojtĕch Štajf (CZE) / Veronika Havelková (CZE) – Škoda Fabia R5
- 2019: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mathieu Baumel (FRA) – Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
- 2020: Cancelled – Covid-19
- 2021: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mathieu Baumel (FRA) – Volkswagen Polo GTI R5
- 2022: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mathieu Baum
- 2023: Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Mathieu Baumel (FRA) – Volkswagen Polo GTI
- 2024: Pierre-Louis Loubet (FRA) / Loris Pascaud (FRA) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2
