Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah and co-driver Edouard Boulanger have taken the overall lead in the 25th edition of the Rallye du Maroc after winning Stage 1 in Zagora, Morocco. They are driving for Dacia Sandriders and dominated the 178-kilometer stage with a time of 02:10:09. Al Attiyah, a two-time world champion, is aiming for his eighth FIA World Rally-Raid title and had a 20-point lead over his closest competitor, Yazeed Al Rajhi, heading into the final round in Morocco. Al Rajhi and his co-driver Timo Gottschalk, winners of the 2022 Rallye du Maroc, are currently in second place driving for Toyota, while Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz are in third place in a Ford Raptor.
In the Challenger category, Michal Goczal and Diego Ortega Gil are leading after a successful stage win. Qatar’s Ahmed Al Kuwari and co-driver Augusto Sanz have climbed up to ninth place in the overall standings, while Khalifa Al Attiyah and navigator Enio Bozzano are in 13th place. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and Nasser Saadoon Al Kuwari’s team is currently in 19th place.
The Rallye du Maroc is the final leg of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship and is a crucial event for drivers like Nasser Al Attiyah who are in the running for the championship title. The Qatari-French duo’s impressive performance in Stage 1 has put them in a strong position to secure the overall victory in the rally. Al Attiyah’s experience and skill as a world champion driver make him a formidable competitor on the challenging Moroccan terrain.
The competition in the Rallye du Maroc is fierce, with top drivers like Yazeed Al Rajhi and Carlos Sainz also vying for the win. Al Rajhi, the winner of the 2022 Rallye du Maroc, is a formidable opponent for Al Attiyah and will be looking to close the gap in the overall standings in the remaining stages of the rally. Sainz, a seasoned rally driver with multiple championships under his belt, is also a strong contender for a podium finish in his Ford Raptor.
The Challenger category provides an opportunity for up-and-coming drivers like Michal Goczal and Diego Ortega Gil to showcase their skills and compete for a win in their respective class. The performance of challengers like Goczal and Gil adds an extra layer of excitement to the rally as they battle for victory against more experienced competitors. As the rally progresses, fans can expect to see intense competition and thrilling racing action as the drivers push themselves to the limit in pursuit of victory.
Overall, the Rallye du Maroc promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event with plenty of twists and turns in the remaining stages. With top drivers like Nasser Al Attiyah, Yazeed Al Rajhi, and Carlos Sainz battling it out for the win, fans can look forward to a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. Stay tuned for more updates and results from the Rallye du Maroc as the drivers continue to showcase their skills and determination on the challenging Moroccan terrain.
