The Dakar 2026 continues to surprise us with its twists and turns, and the fifth stage is no exception. With a marathon format and a bivouac reduced to its simplest expression, the drivers had to demonstrate clever management strategies to navigate the 356 km special leading to Haïl. Between caution and boldness, the rally is a true test of endurance.
A perilous navigation
This Thursday, the Dakar stage took place without the presence of motorcycles, offering a very particular dynamic. The navigation proved complex, with multiple direction changes making every decision crucial. “It was a complicated stage in terms of navigation… Kudos to the guys up front!” said Édouard Boulanger, co-driver of Sébastien Loeb. The drivers also had to manage their tires carefully, without an extra spare, on treacherous rocky sections.
A strategic race for Dacia
In such a delicate context, the Dacia drivers opted for a cautious approach. Following behind Henk Lategan, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb finished almost simultaneously. “We drove well, I was very cautious at the start, I drove quite cool for the first 200 kilometers and pushed more later,” said the Frenchman. This sense of strategy could make a difference at this stage of the rally.
A strong comeback for Guthrie
The clock was marked by the thunderous return of Mitch Guthrie, who had lost the lead of the rally a few days earlier. After being denied a stage victory by his teammate Nani Roma by just four seconds, the American managed to turn the situation to his advantage. However, Roma was penalized 1’10 for speeding in a regulated zone, allowing Guthrie to take the lead of the stage.
Lucas Moraes finished third for the day, 3’42 behind the winner. The gaps tightened compared to the previous day, with Al-Attiyah and Loeb losing 10’09 and 10’45 respectively. Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, only conceded 4’27, while Mattias Ekström saw his deficit settle at 5’25.
Lategan still leads… and opens the road
Henk Lategan maintains his status as leader while not opening the road on Friday. The South African driver managed to adapt to his position as opener, despite a 12’47 deficit to Nani Roma. “It was really, really difficult, one of the toughest specials to open,” he stated. “The tracks were very small, washed out by the rains, and there was a lot of off-piste.”
Currently, Lategan has a 1’17 lead over Nasser Al-Attiyah and 5’38 over Mattias Ekström. Sébastien Loeb has slightly reduced his gap and is now eighth overall with a deficit of 17’55.
Towards Riyadh and the rest day
For the next stage, competitors will tackle 331 km of special and 589 km of liaison to Riyadh. This will be an opportunity to catch their breath before the rest day in the Saudi capital. But beware: dunes are on the agenda! A new adventure that promises to be as demanding as it is captivating.
Provisional overall standings after stage 5 (Cars)
- 1. Henk Lategan
- 2. Nasser Al-Attiyah
- 3. Mattias Ekström
- 4. Carlos Sainz
- 5. Sébastien Loeb
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