Doha:Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, alongside his French navigator Max Delfino, claimed victory in the 2026 Qatar International Baja, securing their FIA Middle East Baja Cup titles. The event took place across the challenging southern deserts, where Al Attiyah defended a lead of 6 minutes and 15.3 seconds over Francisco Barreto and his navigator Paulo Fiúza.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Attiyah achieved a record 13th victory in his home off-road event, marking his first win since 2023 with a margin of 29 minutes and 8.7 seconds. Francisco Barreto, despite navigational delays, maintained a second-place finish and now leads the FIA World Baja Cup heading into the final round in the UAE next weekend.
The event also saw Konrad Dabrowski make history by becoming the first motorcyclist to win the Qatar International Baja four times, surpassing Marc Coma's previous record. Dabrowski led from the Prologue and secured a 5-minute and 12-second victory margin. In the quad category, Emirati Khalifa Al Bastaki emerged victorious on his Yamaha.
Racers faced difficulties, including navigational challenges and mechanical issues. Barreto emphasized the tough navigation, particularly in the dunes, which caused time losses but allowed him to retain his overall position. The rally continues with the next event at the Dubai International Baja next weekend, where competitors will aim to build on their successes and address challenges faced during the Qatar event.
