The ERC’s Dakar Rally connection revealed

1st, Yazeed Al-Rajhi (above): Saudi Arabia’s overall Dakar Rally winner, a feat he achieved for the first time in 10 attempts, also holds a perfect ERC record with one start and one victory to his name following his Cyprus Rally triumph in 2014.

2nd, Henk Lategan (above): Before he embarked on his cross-country career, Lategan was successful in stage rallying, taking fifth place on Croatia Rally in 2013, his ERC debut.

3rd, Emil Bergkvist (above): As well as success behind the wheel, the 2015 Junior ERC champion has achieved plenty reading the digital roadbook on FIA World Rally-Raid Championship events, as evidenced by his most recent achievement alongside Mattias Ekström. Competing in an M-Sport Ford Raptor T1+, the Swedish pairing finished this year’s Dakar Rally in third overall.

4th, Nasser Al-Attiyah (above): While there was no sixth Dakar Rally win for Al-Attiyah, the Qatari battled to fourth place for event newcomer The Dacia Sandriders. He also became the first driver in Dakar Rally history to claim a stage win in 18 consecutive participations. From his four ERC starts, Al-Attiyah has four ERC starts.  

The 2025 FIA European Rally Championship begins with the 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad in Andalusia, Spain, from 4 - 6 April.