After a trial run in the FIA Baja Cups this year, the World Rally-Raid Championship will introduce its own Master Drivers trophy for 2026. It is reserved for all non-priority drivers over the age of 50.

Drivers must be at least 50 years old on January 1, and they cannot hold Platinum or Gold priority status. For example, Carlos Sainz is 63 but can’t compete for the Master Drivers title since he has Platinum priority as the 2024 Dakar Rally winner.

Anyone who earns a status upgrade midseason, such as by winning a W2RC race overall or placing top five at the Dakar Rally, will be removed from Master Drivers consideration as well.

“The W2RC Commission reserves the right to refuse the admission of any driver to the FIA Rally-Raid Championship for Master Drivers if, in its absolute discretion, the driver’s sporting profile, performance level, or professional background is not consistent with the spirit and purpose of this Championship dedicated to independent drivers,” adds the FIA Cross-Country Rally Sporting Regulations. “The decision of the W2RC Commission shall be final. Reasons for refusal shall be notified to the concerned driver.”

All three Baja Cups debuted the system in 2025 alongside a Junior Drivers trophy for those under 26. Miroslav Zapletal, who is 59 years old, won the World Baja Cup Masters title.

For the season-opening Dakar Rally, 11 drivers are signed up as Master Drivers: Zapletal, Lionel Baud, Jean-Luc Ceccaldi, Isidre Esteve, Hernán Garcés, Marek Goczał, Martin Koloc, and Jourdan Serderidis in Ultimate; Hervé Guillaume and Kees Koolen in Challenger; and Joan Piferrer in SSV.

Master Drivers is one of three new trophies added for the 2026 W2RC season alongside the Teams championship and those for the Stock category. The FIA Rally-Raid Championship for Teams is for those competing in Challenger, SSV, or Stock since Ultimate has the manufacturers’ championship.

Featured image credit: Florent Gooden / DPPI / ASO