Fernando Alonso Will Race Aston Martin at Dakar Rally
The veteran driver returns to the rally-raid circuit in a new vehicle modeled after the Dreadnought concept.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Motorsports
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Fernando Alonso is set to return to the Dakar Rally as part of an agreement within his Aston Martin F1 contract extension. He will compete in a rally-raid machine built by Prodrive and styled after the Dreadnought concept.
Why it matters
The move marks a high-profile return to endurance rallying for the two-time Formula One champion. It signals Aston Martin's expansion into diverse motorsport disciplines by leveraging the engineering expertise of the Prodrive team.
Alonso previously finished 13th at the Dakar Rally in 2020. The new entry will utilize a machine based on the Prodrive-built Dacia Sandrider, which Prodrive campaigned from 2021 to 2024.
The players
Fernando Alonso
He is a veteran Spanish racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion who currently competes for the Aston Martin F1 team.
Aston Martin
This British luxury vehicle manufacturer has expanded its global racing presence through a dedicated Formula One team and collaborative engineering projects.
Prodrive
This British motorsport and engineering group is known for its success in rally-raid and world rally championships, having managed high-level racing programs for decades.
Nasser Al-Attiyah
He is a multi-time Dakar Rally champion and professional rally driver who is widely recognized as one of the most successful figures in cross-country rally competition.
The details
Aston Martin has tasked Prodrive with the development and preparation of the rally-raid vehicle. The car will feature bodywork inspired by the Dreadnought concept, which was first revealed to the public in July 2026.
Timeline
2020: Fernando Alonso finished 13th at the Dakar Rally.
2021-2024: Prodrive competed at the Dakar Rally.
July 2026: The Dreadnought concept was revealed.
Early 2026: Nasser Al-Attiyah won his sixth Dakar Rally.
Season Trajectory
The Aston Martin entry shifts the competitive balance of the rally-raid field by introducing manufacturer-backed resources to established desert racing programs. This development signals a new chapter for the brand as it tests its technical capabilities against veterans like Nasser Al-Attiyah.
The entry will see Alonso pilot a Prodrive-developed machine, directly impacting the projected standings for the next Dakar Rally. Fans of the sport should monitor how the Dreadnought styling influences the aerodynamics and durability of the new rally-raid platform.
The takeaway
Alonso's return highlights the increasing intersection of Formula One talent and the specialized demands of cross-country rally competition. The project underscores how luxury manufacturers are increasingly adapting their design language for rugged, extreme environments.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in off-road racing on our Motorsports section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jalopnik.
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