After being out of racing for six months while he underwent treatment for a sciatic nerve injury, Fernando Álvarez will finally make his racing return at the Baja Aragón.

Álvarez suffered the injury while competing at the Dakar Rally in January, which forced him to withdraw after five stages. He underwent surgery in March followed by another procedure to address oozing after his stitches were removed.

His treatment and recovery were overseen by Dr. Carlos Solá at Hospital Italiano in Argentina.

Due to his condition, he missed much of the FIA World Baja Cup and his hopes of defending his SSV title are basically over. He also had to skip the Safari Rally Kenya, where he was due to compete in WRC2. Álvarez hoped to return at the Baja Greece in late May, but his rehab couldn’t line up in time after being rehospitalized. After another two months, during which he sat out the Italian Baja, he feels ready to go.

Last weekend, Álvarez got back behind the wheel for the first time since his injury when he test drove a Hyundai i20 at the Rally Gran Premio. While it was cut short by a mechanical issue, he still got to drive about 75 kilometers “without any pain or discomfort.”

The Baja España Aragón, the fifth round of the 2025 World Baja Cup, is scheduled for July 24–27. Álvarez and navigator Xavier Panseri will pilot the #400 Can-Am Maverick R for South Racing.

Featured image credit: Florent Gooden / DPPI