WRC has already cancelled, but Dakar 2027 keeps Saudi Arabia in the plan

ANDthis year, the sports calendars of motor sport is being affected by war in the Middle East, which has been motivating the cancellation or postponement of events in the region.

One of the countries affected is the Saudi Arabia, where Formula 1 and World Rally (WRC) officially cancelled their presence. O Dakar is marked for that same country in early january (about three months missing) but, so far, he hasn't spoken. And, as it turns out, there's not even a plan B in the equation right now.

According to the newspaper Marca, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) stands firm in plans for the departure shot to be taken on January 1 in Saudi Arabia as planned: “The Dakar will be in Saudi Arabia, for our part everything remains the same“, they will have told the teams that questioned the subject, according to the aforementioned agency.

Travel restrictions, individual fears and not only

But, the conflict remains and the climate in the Middle East continues to be high tension – without prospects that the scenario will improve soon. Now, given the feeling of insecurity (more than feeling, the dangers are real, even taking into account the recent attacks of the Houthis on Saudi soil), it is clear that the teams and pilots are skeptical about the normal realization of Dakar on the Saudi clues that have received it since 2020.

Especially because there may be travel restrictions or strong recommendations to prevent themFord may have a hard time putting her American employees there. Toyota – prohibiting officials from going to conflict zones – considers it early to make decisions. But KTM – which participates in motorcycles – considers cancellation inevitable.

But it's not the only factor. There's the fear of individual people, with mechanics admitting not to make the trip if the event remains – according to the leader of a team heard by the Spanish sports newspaper. And the pilots themselves, who are the protagonists, may also not want to risk or not be able to move.

Then, there is the size of insurance, since insurers may not cover the risk associated with a war conflict in the region or charge considerably more for it. And there is also the question of the transport of participating vehicles, which not only becomes more insecure, but also more expensive and even subject to delays.

Given the scenario of great uncertainty, participants need more solid assurances about what will happen. The late cancellation of Dakar would not be a “virgin” case – see what happened in 2008, in which according to a source heard by the Mark “many people have been ruined”.

For the moment, there is no weighted alternative

While going to Saudi Arabia may become unviable, there are also no outlined alternatives for Dakar 2027. According to the Mark, Morocco has been pointed out as an appeal solution, but ASO still discards this eventuality.

The country is a regular stop of the World Rally-Raid (whose annual calendar always starts in Dakar), which will now host in October. Moroccan territory can offer landscapes and challenges that fit what the Dakar is (which, in its African origins, often passed through Morocco between the mid-1990s and 2007).