Dakar Rally 2027 route was designed in just four days, organiser says

The Dakar Rally, the long-distance rally raid in motorsport, will return to Africa next year after a 20-year break. The event had originally been planned for Saudi Arabia, but the conflict in the Middle East forced a change of plans, and Morocco was chosen as the new host. Race director David Castera admits this is the biggest challenge of his career as an organiser, yet says that building the route took surprisingly little time.

A route drawn up in four days

Castera was in charge of the Rallye du Maroc for eight years, so he knows the country very well. He says it took him four days at his office to finish the route.

Because of the short preparation time, he had to rely on proven solutions while keeping the traditional Dakar spirit. The director says he does not want to do what everyone does every Sunday, but to tell a story. Competitors will travel from north to south and then return to the central regions, with a great many kilometres on the programme.

Tougher than Saudi Arabia

Castera warns that the Moroccan course may be even more physically demanding than Saudi Arabia: the route is more technical, in places in poorer condition and has more rocks. In his words, a 500-kilometre special stage in Morocco equals 800 kilometres in Saudi Arabia. Anyone who receives a finisher's medal will have earned it, he says.

The move to Morocco is intended as a temporary solution. The Dakar plans to go back to Saudi Arabia in 2028, when the event marks its 50th anniversary.

Alonso's participation unclear

Several questions still surround next year's rally, including the possible entry of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso. Castera said he honestly does not know whether Alonso will take part, as he is currently in America, but it would be great if he came. The director also hinted at one or two other surprises.