After debuting in 2025, the Saudi Next Gen is back for 2026. It consists of five drivers and navigators apiece, each trying to earn their spot in the 2027 Dakar Rally.

The drivers are Reem Al-Aboud, Rakan Al-Tuwaijry, Fahad Al-Dhafeeri, Basel Al-Shamrani, and Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Khalaf Al-Odayli, Saeed Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah Al-Shammari, Meshal Khalaf Al-Shammari, and Shrooq Al-Amri are the participating navigators.

Saudi Next Gen is overseen by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, designed to help those from the country break into rally raid. The format consists of the participants driving SSVs along the same course used by the Dakar Rally, with the top performers eventually being offered slots in the field for the following year’s race.

Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Al-Shegawi are competing in the 2026 Dakar after participating in the 2025 program with their respective navigators Fahad Al-Omar and Raed Al-Assaf. Both teams are in the SSV class with tutoring from Joan Font.

Defending winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi and FIA Bajas regular Amerigo Ventura are also involved as coaches. The program is using the Yamaha YXZ1000R, which Ventura races.

“They are coming from cars, hill climbs, car-cross racing, so it’s something amazing to get in touch with different skills,” Ventura told Cross-Country Rally News. “All of them really want to improve and learn, so I’m really happy. I give them a few tips about the vehicle because we are using a vehicle I know very, very well. From my side, I explain to them how to drive in a safe way. Step by step, we are increasing the level. We don’t want to rush in, in one step, but we want to see the level increase until the last day of special stages.”

Featured image credit: Aurélien Vialatte / ASO