Short Description
Guerlain Chicherit clinched a surprising victory at the 2025 Dakar Rally’s opening stage, showcasing Mini’s resilience amidst fierce competition from Toyota teams.
Read Time
3 minutes, 45 seconds
Main Article
The 2025 Dakar Rally kicked off in Saudi Arabia with a gripping first stage that saw Guerlain Chicherit of X-raid Mini pull off a stunning victory. In a dramatic display against a backdrop of fierce competition, Chicherit overcame substantial challenges, securing Mini’s first stage win at the Dakar since 2021. The stage, covering 499 km around Bisha, was marked by strategic maneuvers, as Chicherit quickly established a lead of over a minute in his Mini JCW Rally 3.0i.
Chicherit’s journey was no walk in the park. He faced a relentless charge from Toyota’s factory teams and the satellite Overdrive group, with several Hilux T1+ drivers hot on his heels. By the 151 km mark, competitors Lucas Moraes and Saood Variava had overtaken Chicherit, reflecting the dynamism and unpredictability typical of the Dakar Rally. However, Chicherit rebounded fiercely, engaging in a nail-biting battle for the lead with Moraes. Ultimately, stopping the clock at 4 hours, 35 minutes and 53 seconds, Chicherit secured his eighth career stage win at Dakar.
Meanwhile, Moraes strategically decided to drop down the order, finishing in eighth place, to better position himself for upcoming stages—a tactical move that highlighted the depth of strategy involved in this grueling race. Following Chicherit were Toyota’s Seth Quintero and Saood Variava, who completed the stage under a minute behind the Mini driver. Filling out the top ranks were Martin Prokop in his privateer Ford and Joao Ferreira driving for Dacia.
The competition proved fierce, with notable drivers like Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb electing to play long-term games, deliberately finishing lower in the standings after earlier strong performances. This approach is a testament to the strategy required to navigate the extensive challenges of the Dakar, especially as competitors gear up for the arduous two-day marathon stage that follows.
Short Summary
Guerlain Chicherit’s unexpected win at the 2025 Dakar Rally marks a significant moment for the Mini team amidst fierce competition from Toyota. With strategic maneuvering and intense rivalries, the event promises even more thrilling developments as the marathon stage approaches, testing the resilience and strategy of the world’s top rally drivers.
