Guerlain Chicherit of X-raid Mini takes the lead in the inaugural stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally, holding off a challenging Toyota team.
Guerlain Chicherit achieved a surprise victory in the opening stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, outperforming Toyota competitors. Chicherit, driving a Mini JCW Rally 3.0i, established a minute lead early on Saturday's 499km test around Bisha. He faced fierce competition from Toyota 's factory and Overdrive teams, with multiple Hilux T1+s closely trailing him. Lucas Moraes and Saood Variava briefly overtook Chicherit before Guy Botterill advanced.
Chicherit regained the lead, battling with Moraes for top spot. Chicherit entered the final section trailing Moraes by 18 seconds but made a strong comeback, securing his eighth career stage win at Dakar and Mini's first win since 2021. Moraes strategically stopped for several minutes, dropping to eighth to gain a better starting position for the subsequent 48-hour chrono stage. This allowed Toyota teammate Seth Quintero to move into second, 50 seconds behind Chicherit, with Variava third. Martin Prokop in the Jipocar Ford climbed to fourth, followed by Cristina Gutierrez in the best-performing Dacia Sandrider and Joao Ferreira in the Mini. Carlos Sainz, driving the new Ford, overtook Guillaume de Mevius, who chose to slow down intentionally to improve his chances for Stage 2
DAKAR RALLY MINI TOYOTA GUERLAIN CHICHERIT LUCAS MORAES
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