As the war between the United States and Iran flares back up, Ronald van Loon and William de Groot aren’t taking any chances. Speaking with Omroep Brabant, both confirmed they will not be making the trip to Saudi Arabia for January’s Dakar Rally if the crisis isn’t resolved.

“If the tension in Saudi Arabia remains like this, I’m not going to my put team at risk,” de Groot stated.

While August had been a fairly quiet month in terms of actual fighting, it was still rife with tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Strikes have since resumed over the past week while the strait remains at a stalemate. Speaking with reporters on Friday, American president Donald Trump called the conflict “small potatoes” yet singled out Pickaxe Mountain, located a mile south from the Natanz Nuclear Facility, as a potential target.

Saudi Arabia is an American ally who’s primarily employed military force in response to Iranian strikes. The US Department of State announced Friday the sale of $5 billion in JDAMs and other bombs and equipment to the Saudis. Even before the current conflict, the Saudi military has notably positioned defense systems along the Dakar route.

The Houthis, whom the Saudis are leading a coalition against in Yemen, initiated a blockade of Saudi ships in late July. On August 24, a Houthi ballistic missile hit a Saudi-flagged oil tanker 63 miles off the coast of Yanbu, where the first two stages of the 2027 Dakar Rally are taking place.

The shipping crisis was the main reason for van Loon’s withdrawal. The reigning Morocco Desert Challenge winner explained to Omroep Brabant that he “couldn’t get insurance for the equipment on the ship. So that’s another risk.” Arjan van Tiel, the navigator for André Thewessen, likewise opined that “if [insurance companies] pull out, it’s over for everyone.”

With things appearing to spiral again, international motorsports are growing wary about heading to the region for their scheduled races. Formula One had already moved the Bahrain Grand Prix to Sepang while the Saudi GP is off the calendar entirely. WRC’s Rally Saudi Arabia in November is also on thin ice as Toyota and Hyundai say they’re currently unable to travel there due to corporate policies barring going to the Middle East.

While van Loon and de Groot are out, a good chunk of their fellow Dutch racers plan to participate if Dakar goes on as scheduled. Van Tiel, Michiel Becx, Kees Koolen, Marnix Leeuw, and Janus van Kasteren have all confirmed they will head to Saudi Arabia, but they’re keeping tabs on the situation as well.

Leeuw, who made his Dakar debut this year, particularly found it odd that the ASO hasn’t said anything about the war so far. Just as strange to him is that the 2027 route was revealed in early May, far sooner than previous years (2026’s was announced in June).

“We have no idea yet what the situation will be like in January. It’s still so far away for these kinds of decisions,” Koolen opined. “The organization has and takes responsibility for their decisions. Thus, for the time being, I trust 100% that they will make a sensible decision.

“Things can really change at the last minute, but I’m assuming it will go ahead. If it does, I’ll be participating.”

Featured image credit: Antonin Vincent / DPPI / ASO