After a year’s absence due to regional unrest in 2024, the Rally of Lebanon is back on the FIA international calendar as the sole all-tarmac round of the 2025 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Taking place from September 5th to 7th, this penultimate round of the six-event series boasts a strong entry of 29 cars from eight nations, including eight Rally2 machines, ready to tackle 11 demanding asphalt stages across the mountains and valleys north and east of Beirut.
Challenging Stages Await Competitors
The rally stages are known for their technical complexity — tricky, specialized, often bumpy, and deceptively slippery under the intense heat of the Lebanese summer. This combination will test the drivers’ skill and endurance over a total distance that includes 192.44 km of competitive speed sections.
Championship Battle: Al-Attiyah Eyeing Historic 20th Title
Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, partnered with Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera, stands on the brink of an extraordinary 20th regional title. With key rivals Abdullah Al-Rawahi and Ata Al-Hmoud sidelined due to accidents and Saudi’s Rakan Al-Rashed absent, Al-Attiyah leads comfortably in his Autotek Škoda Fabia RS with 140 points — nearly double the tally of fourth-placed Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari.
Al-Kuwari has stepped up his campaign by switching to a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 and enlisting Italian veteran co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini, who brings a wealth of experience with 27 MERC wins.
Meanwhile, Carrera has already clinched the MERC Co-Drivers’ title, with some of his main co-driver rivals out of the championship fight or competing elsewhere.
Local Hero Roger Feghali Returns as Pre-Event Favourite
Although not contesting the MERC points, Lebanese superstar Roger Feghali will be a crowd favourite behind the wheel of his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Feghali, with co-driver Joseph Matar, has won the event nine times since 2011, including a dominant 17th victory at the last national-run event in 2024.
Fierce Competition Across Categories
- Veteran Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT) has already secured the FIA Master MERC Driver title and aims for a top-three overall finish.
- Oman’s Zakariya Al-Aamri and Abdullah Al-Zubair continue their duel for the FIA MERC2 title, separated by just nine points.
- Qatar’s Rashed Al-Muhannadi has won the FIA MERC4 category but the battle for second place remains tight between Mohammed Al-Marri (QAT) and India’s Payyakkal Panikkaveettil.
- Strong Lebanese entries, including Bassel Abu Hamdan, Rabih Ayoub, and young star Alex Feghali, add local depth and talent to the field.
Detailed Event Schedule and Route
Thursday, September 4
- Scrutineering at BUMC, Hazmieh, from 09:00 onwards
- Pre-rally press conference, Jounieh, 19:45
- Ceremonial start, Jounieh, 20:30
Friday, September 5
- SS1: Super special stage (2.54 km) near ATCL, Jounieh, 17:03
Saturday, September 6
- Leg 1 start, Jounieh, 07:30
- Competitors tackle three key stages twice:
- Monsef (14.63 km)
- Toula (28.89 km) — the longest stage
- Deir Bella (17.65 km)
- Leg 1 finish, Jounieh, 20:00
Sunday, September 7
- Leg 2 start, Jounieh, 07:30
- Two passes through:
- Zandouka (16.85 km)
- Zabbougha (17.67 km)
- Final finish at ATCL, Jounieh, 17:00
- Prizegiving ceremony, 17:30
- Post-rally press conference, 18:30
2025 Rally of Lebanon – entry list:
1. Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Candido Carrera (ESP) Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2*
2. Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari (QAT)/Giovanni Bernacchini (ITA) Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2*
3. Roger Feghali (LBN)/Joseph Matar (LBN) Toyota GR Yaris RALLY2
4. Rabih Ayoub (LBN)/Georges Nadher (LBN) Škoda Fabia Rally 2
5. Bassel Abu Hamdan (KSA)/Firas Elias (LBN) Volkswagen Polo Rally 2
6. Elias Dehni (LBN)/Nicola Arena (ITA) Škoda Fabia Rally 2
7. Alex Feghali (LBN)/Marc Haddad (FRA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
8. Carl Rizk (LBN)/Karim Abou Elias (LBN) Citroën DS3
9. Rodrigue Rahi (LBN)/Gary Koundakjian (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
10. Henry Kahy (LBN)/Ramy Menhem (LBN) Citroën DS3
11. Joseph Hindi (LBN)/Vicken Kanledjian (LBN) Renault Clio
12. David Mezher (LBN)/Chadi Nasr (LBN) Ford Fiesta
14. Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT)/Ziad Chehab (LBN) Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2*
15. Tarek Younis (LBN)/Salim Jleilaty (LBN) Škoda Fabia Rally 2
16. Charbel Chebly (LBN)/Dolyne Schink (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
17. Ahmad Khaled (LBN)/Omar Mazkour (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X*
18. Rhea Dagher (LBN)/Nadim Abou Elias (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
19. Abdullah Al-Zubair (OMA)/Taha Al-Zadjali (OMA) Subaru Impreza N14*
20. Mohamad Tajeddine (LBN)/Samer Sfeir (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
21. Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMA)/Mohammed Al-Mazrui (OMA) Subaru Impreza N14*
22. Jad Al-Anwar (LBN)/Musa Djiyerian (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X*
23. Ryan Khneisser (LBN)/Christopher Bechara (LBN) Peugeot 208 Rally 4
24. Mohammed Al-Marri (QAT)/ Pierre Delorme (FRA) Peugeot 208 Rally 4*
25. Sami Fleifel (JOR)/Yazan Juma (JOR) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
26. Toni Germanos (LBN)/Joseph Kmeid (LBN) Renault Clio
27. Payyaakkal ‘Saneem’ Panikkaveettil (IND)/Musa Sherif (IND) Ford Fiesta Rally 4*
28. Nadi Yazbeck (LBN)/Elie Mhanna (LBN) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII
29. Joanna Hassoun (LBN)/TBA) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
