With Juan Cruz Yacopini still recovering from his accident in December, Daniel Oliveras will make his 2026 co-driving debut at the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal. He will serve as the navigator for Carlos Sainz, who split with his longtime partner Lucas Cruz in February.

Oliveras and Yacopini won the 2025 FIA World Baja Cup overall together and finished tenth in the World Rally-Raid Championship. Having worked together since 2023, they were set to continue their partnership in 2026 with Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa.

However, those plans were sidelined when Yacopini suffered severe head and spinal injuries after hitting his head on a rock while diving in December. Yacopini remains confined to a wheelchair and recovering in the hospital, but in good spirits and hopes to return to racing in the future.

While Oliveras certainly wants to work with Yacopini again, he had to find a new ride in the meantime. After missing the Dakar Rally, he got his opportunity at Ford Racing.

Sainz and Cruz, who won four Dakars together, mutually agreed to go their separate ways in February. The former’s future with Ford is also in flux as he ponders whether to come back in 2027. They finished fifth at Dakar in their final race together.

Featured image credit: Helena Clancy / Edophoto / DPPI / ASO