Wildly varying machines taking on motor sport's biggest challenge, from family hatchbacks to supercars and high-riding V8-powered raiders built for the

James Hillier has credited the Dakar Rally organisers with increasing the difficulty on the 2025 edition of the rally. The Dakar moved to Saudi Arabia in 2020 and since then has been criticised on occasion for lacking in difficulty compared to the original Paris-Dakar routes or the South American editions that ran until 2019.

Dakar Rally participants know what they're signing up for: a gruelling two-week ordeal they have no guarantee of completing. But this storied event was born of an even more extreme and dangerous experience,

Somewhere in the middle of the Arabian desert, the scream of a high-strung Coyote V-8 is echoing off the arid expanse. It’s a familiar 5.0-liter from Ford, but it’s tucked down deep inside a machine unlike anything that has worn a blue oval before.

France’s enduring strategy to destabilise the Sahel is manifesting through new and suspicious demonstrations allegedly organised by members of the Malian

Yazeed Al-Rajhi became the first Saudi to win the Dakar Rally, triumphing in the 12-stage event by almost four minutes over Henk Lategan, while Daniel Sanders secured victory in the motorcycle category.

Dakar lacks opportunity, and the young couple can no longer envision a life of freedom at home. Therefore, with no money and unsupportive families, Anta and Mory connive to escape to Paris. Their desire to emigrate is not shaped by a lack of love for Senegal,

Yazeed Al-Rajhi clinched his first Dakar title, becoming the first Saudi Arabian winner, as Daniel Sanders won the motorcycle category. Henk Lategan finished just four minutes behind Al-Rajhi. The rally,

Associated Press photographer Christophe Ena's images from the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia capture the speed, driving skill and spectacular desert views of one of the world's most breathtaking auto racing events.

Local hero Yazeed Al-Rajhi secured his first Dakar title on Friday, finishing the 12-stage rally almost four minutes ahead of his closest competitor Henk Lategan, while Red Bull KTM's Daniel Sanders maintained his lead to win in the motorcycle category.