LUSAIL, QATAR – The Qatar International Baja will be flagged away from the iconic ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark on the Doha Corniche on Thursday evening from 18:20.
Competitors in the penultimate rounds of the FIA World and Middle East Baja Cups and the FIM Bajas World Cup will first tackle a 10.59km Prologue on Thursday afternoon to set the start order for Friday’s opening desert stage.
Leading drivers and riders attended Wednesday’s pre-event press conference at Lusail International Circuit, in the presence of QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad.
Yacopini defends his lead
FIA World Baja Cup leader Juan Cruz Yacopini is racing in Qatar for the second time in a Toyota Hilux and defending a 22-point lead.
First of all, I am super happy to be here in Qatar. It is my second time. The strategy is to make a good race. I think navigation is going to be difficult. This is normally a key point in this Baja but I have a really good navigator (Dani Oliveras). We have a good feeling inside the car. We are racing a lot.
Juan Cruz Yacopini
It is going to be a nice race. A key point also is to make a good Prologue and decide the starting position. Maybe not at the front so we have some lines (to follow) but not that bad that it’s a problem. We had a shakedown today to get the correct set-up on the car. It’s a different terrain to Morocco and is super stony and very fast and we need to get the car in perfect condition for this race.
Juan Cruz Yacopini
Akeel vs Khalifa Al-Attiyah
Saudi driver Dania Akeel is chasing FIA Middle East Baja Cup victory against local rival Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah and is upbeat about her chances.
Me and Khalifa. It was unfortunate in Jordan. I lost some points there that I really wanted. This race I will try to make up the gap. That’s the target. Qatar is a great race, very technical and a lot of variety. Khalifa is a local driver. so it’s going to be a nice challenge. I have a faster car but there are some rougher parts and dunes, some advantages for the lighter cars as well.
Dania Akeel
Last year, here, was my first stage win overall in the Ultimate class. It was my first stage win in any rally. The team had changed the part (steering arm failure) after the shakedown. It was a lesson but not a lesson we love. Let’s hope it comes back full circle this year.
Dania Akeel
Al-Kuwari on home ground
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, who won the final stage in 2024, represents the QMMF Team in a Taurus T3 Max. The former FIA Middle East rally champion is fourth in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup Drivers’ standings and second in the Challenger section.
I think we go as fast as we can and try and enjoy the weekend. It’s my home rally. I did the last two Bajas here. Good memories from last year. I think we will go for the win to be honest. A quality entry in all the categories, a lot of top drivers. We lost a lot of points in Ha’il and finished fourth there and then we did well in Jordan and won (Challenger). Still two rallies to go, so we have time.
Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari
Al-Balooshi targets a fourth title
Mohammed Al-Balooshi, two-wheel winner in 2021 and 2024, defends a nine-point lead over MX Ride Dubai team-mate and Lebanese rider Rafic Eid in the overall FIM 450cc standings.
We are leading the championship with two more rounds. It is important to secure the lead and then go to the last round in Dubai to, hopefully, win it for the fourth time and the third time in a row. Qatar is one of the most difficult events because of the navigation and the terrain. Our strategy is to take it easy, not to rush things and let the race come to us – like we did last year!
Mohammed Al-Balooshi
Thursday’s schedule
Bikes and quads start the 10.59km Prologue from 12:25, with the first cars from 13:45. Competitors then transfer to the ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark for the ceremonial start, with motorcycles crossing the podium in reverse seeding order from 18:20.
Leading FIA entries
- Juan Cruz Yacopini (ARG) / Dani Oliveras (ESP) – Toyota Hilux IMT Evo
- Martin Prokop (CZE) / Viktor Chytka (CZE) – Ford Raptor
- Denis Krotov (KGZ) / Konstantin Zhiltsov – Mini John Cooper Works Rally 3.0i
- Dania Akeel (KSA) / Sébastien Delaunay (FRA) – Toyota Hilux
- Miroslav Zapletal (CZE) / Marek Sykora (SVK) – Ford F-150 Evo
- Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Fabian Lurquin (BEL) – Taurus T3 Max
- Khalifa Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Bruno Jacomy (ARG) – Taurus T3 Max
- Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT) / Stéphane Duplé (FRA) – Taurus T3 Max
- Mattias Ekström (SWE) / Emil Bergkvist (SWE) – Can-Am Maverick R
- Hamed Al-Wahaibi (OMA) / Ilka Minor (AUT) – Can-Am Maverick R
- Mohammed Al-Marri (QAT) / Hugo Magalhães (POR) – Can-Am Maverick R
Leading FIM entries
- Mohammed Al-Balooshi (UAE) – KTM 450 RR
- Konrad Dabrowski (POL) – KTM 450 Rally
- Rafic Eid (LBN) – GasGas 450 Rally
- Sultan Al-Shanqiti (UAE) – KTM Rally Replica 450
- Philip Horlemann (GER) – KTM Rally Replica 450
- Hani Al-Noumesi (KSA) – Yamaha Raptor (quad)