The fifth stage of the Dakar 2025, between AlUla and Hail, featured a 428-kilometer route combining sandy tracks with rocky and volcanic sections. This terrain required precision in navigation and extreme care to avoid mechanical issues.
Seth Quintero and the Al Attiyah incident
Seth Quintero claimed his second victory in cars by beating Nasser Al Attiyah by one second after the Qatari received a penalty for losing a spare wheel. Dacia, with its quick-release wheel system, faced a technical issue resulting in the penalty. This outcome highlights the risks of relying on mechanical innovations under extreme conditions. Additionally, Quintero was recognized for helping Carlos Sainz Sr. in the initial stage, further solidifying his overall performance in this edition.
Overall standings and progress in other categories
Henk Lategan leads in cars with a 10-minute advantage over Yazeed Al Rajhi, while Mattias Ekström holds third place. In SSV, Francisco "Chaleco" López claimed another stage victory, though Heger Brock remains at the top of the general classification. Yasir Seaidan won in Challenger, consolidating his position among the top drivers, while Nicolás Cavigliasso leads his category convincingly. In trucks, Martin Macík remains unbeatable with his fourth consecutive victory, extending his lead over Michel van den Brink.
Tight competition in the Dakar Classic
Carlos Santaolalla secured his eleventh stage win in the Classic category, standing out as one of the favorites alongside Lorenzo Traglio and Juan Morera. The classification remains open, with significant changes possible in the coming days.
The second week of Dakar 2025
Friday will be a rest day in Hail, providing a much-needed break to adjust vehicles and plan strategies. With seven stages remaining, drivers will face the Empty Quarter desert, a stretch where navigation errors and physical and mechanical endurance will be crucial. The upcoming stages promise decisive moments, especially for those aiming to close the gaps in the standings.
Overall standings after Stage 5
| Pos. | N° | Drive-Team | Team | Time | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 211 | (zaf) HENK LATEGAN (zaf) BRETT CUMMINGS |
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | 28h 10' 11'' | |
| 2 | 201 | (sau) YAZEED AL RAJHI (deu) TIMO GOTTSCHALK |
OVERDRIVE RACING | 28h 20' 28'' | + 00h 10' 17'' |
| 3 | 226 | (swe) MATTIAS EKSTRÖM (swe) EMIL BERGKVIST |
FORD M-SPORT | 28h 31' 05'' | + 00h 20' 54'' |
| 4 | 200 | (qat) NASSER AL-ATTIYAH (fra) EDOUARD BOULANGER |
THE DACIA SANDRIDERS | 28h 45' 11'' | + 00h 35' 00'' |
| 5 | 203 | (bra) LUCAS MORAES (esp) ARMAND MONLEON |
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | 28h 52' 06'' | + 00h 41' 55'' |
| 6 | 228 | (usa) MITCHELL GUTHRIE (usa) KELLON WALCH |
FORD M-SPORT | 28h 52' 55'' | + 00h 42' 44'' |
| 7 | 209 | (fra) MATHIEU SERRADORI (fra) LOIC MINAUDIER |
CENTURY RACING FACTORY TEAM | 28h 56' 10'' | + 00h 45' 59'' |
| 8 | 216 | (arg) JUAN CRUZ YACOPINI (esp) DANIEL OLIVERAS |
OVERDRIVE RACING | 29h 13' 28'' | + 01h 03' 17'' |
| 9 | 204 | (usa) SETH QUINTERO (deu) DENNIS ZENZ |
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | 29h 40' 21'' | + 01h 30' 10'' |
| 10 | 202 | (fra) GUERLAIN CHICHERIT (fra) ALEX WINOCQ |
X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM | 29h 48' 56'' | + 01h 38' 45'' |
Henk Lategan holds on to first place after stage 8 of the Dakar
Challenging terrain and penalties mark the eighth stage of Dakar 2025
Guillaume de Mévius breaks Toyota's streak with a 1-2 for Mini X-Raid
Toyota loses ground on a decisive day
Yazeed Al Rajhi closes in on lead as Al Attiyah loses time
Changes in the standings after stage 4 of the Dakar 2025 in Alula
