Unpredictable. This might be the adjective that best describes Yazzed Al Rajhi’s temperament.
At the start of his fifth Dakar, the Saudi driver will bring together all the ingredients to make him a contender for a podium result.
He has won the two rallies he has taken part in this year (Kazakhstan Rally and more importantly the Silk Way Rally). He will be in a proven Mini All4Racing and looks steady.
On the other hand, hi results in South America haven’t been a gauge of reliability. He created a stir in his maiden Dakar in 2015, taking his Toyota Hilux to a stage win on day eight, before dropping out while in a liaison section, with a mechanical problem, while he was 3rd in the general classification.
In 2018 for edition 40, and after finishing 11th and 27th in the preceding Dakars, he literally took on water. A poorly managed jump along the shore of the Pacific sent his Mini buggy into the Ocean. Saved in the nick-of-time from the rising tide, he plummeted down the standings before retiring in Bolivia a few days later.
In four Dakar participations, Al Rajhi has twice dropped out and finished outside the Top 10.
The manner in which he won the Silk Way Rally, ahead of Nasser Al Attiyah, is all the same reassuring.
In control and as patient as ever, he wants to do the same on the Dakar alongside his veteran co-driver Timo Gottschalk, who won the Dakar with Al Attiyah in 2011.
“Since I was a kid, I have always been interested in the different forms of motor racing.” Said Al Rajhi “The Dakar has always been special to me with this aspect of adventure.”
“I dreamed of doing it one day. The Dakar is a demanding rally with an incredible history. Doing it means you will battle against the best but also against the elements and yourself.” He added.