Dakar Rally legend set for WRC return

Rally Saudi Arabia is a new experience for the vast majority of the World Rally Championship field, but there is one driver who could have a distinct advantage.

The WRC will welcome back a familiar face this week in the shape of five-time Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al-Attiyah, who will make his first WRC start since 2015. The Qatari is set to pilot an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car in what is a one-off drive at the season finale.

While Rally Saudi Arabia is all-new event for the WRC, Al-Attiyah will bring plenty of experience from competing on Saudi Arabian stages, having claimed a staggering 19 Middle East Rally Championship titles, alongside his Dakar Rally triumphs driving for Volkswagen, Mini and Toyota.

• Read next | The challenges that await WRC drivers in Saudi Arabia

The event will mark the 54-year-old’s first event driving a Rally1 car but he could emerge as a contender for podiums and the victory if he can utilise his experience and gel quickly with WRC machinery once again. Al-Attiyah’s best WRC result arrived at Rally Portugal in 2012 when he finished fourth, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC car.

“I’m incredibly proud to make my Rally1 debut with M-Sport Ford, and to do it here in Saudi Arabia makes the moment even more special,” said three-time World Rally-Raid champion Al-Attiyah.

“I’ve followed the evolution of the Puma Rally1 closely, and it’s an honour to finally experience this level of performance for myself.

“Rallying in the region is growing rapidly, and to be part of the first WRC event in Saudi Arabia is a huge privilege. My goal is to enjoy the challenge, learn as much as I can, and represent the fans here in the Middle East with a strong performance.”

Al-Attiyah will join a four-car M-Sport-Ford line-up, including full-timers Gregoire Munster and Josh McErlean, and rising star Martins Sesks, who rejoins the team for his seventh start of the season.

“It’s a privilege to be part of the first-ever WRC Rally Saudi Arabia,” said M-Sport-Ford team principal Richard Millener.

“The event represents an exciting new chapter for the sport, and we’re proud to bring such a strong and diverse driver line-up.

“Welcoming Nasser for his Rally1 debut adds enormous excitement - not just for the team, but for rally fans across the region.”

Watch WRC on DAZN

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