Dacia to leave Rally-Raid after 2026 – why a Dakar-winning project is ending so soon

The rally-raid world has been hit by surprising news: Dacia has officially confirmed that “The Dacia Sandriders” will compete in the full 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship season (W2RC) – and then stop. The final round in Abu Dhabi will mark the end of the entire project. A return to the Dakar Rally in 2027 has been ruled out.

And that is exactly what makes this story so fascinating. Because normally, a Dakar victory is only the beginning. More budget, more development, more ambition. Instead, Dacia is stepping away right after reaching the highest level in rally-raid racing.

From a sporting perspective, the decision makes little sense. Dacia has proven they have what it takes to win. The Sandrider project has been competitive, well organized and professionally executed. Their driver line-up has been world class, the pace was impressive, and the entire operation looked like a long-term factory program ready to dominate.

So why would a Dakar-winning team stop now?

The answer is not found in the desert. It is found in corporate strategy.

Dacia is part of the Renault Group, and within the group, motorsport investments are being reviewed more strictly than ever. Motorsport programs are no longer evaluated purely on results. They are judged by marketing impact, long-term brand relevance, return on investment, and overall cost efficiency.

A factory rally-raid program is extremely expensive. Development of a prototype, testing, logistics, spare parts, engineering, and running a full W2RC season quickly reaches numbers that must be justified at board level. And this seems to be the key point: Dacia achieved its main target faster than expected. Winning the Dakar is the biggest statement possible in rally-raid. Once that goal is achieved, many manufacturers internally decide that the mission is complete.

At the same time, Renault Group has been shifting priorities. The industry is currently dominated by electrification, new mobility strategies, cost reduction programs and a stronger focus on core business. Motorsport budgets are being concentrated on the programs that offer the highest global exposure and long-term value.

For fans, it feels brutal. For executives, it is a rational decision.

That is why Dacia will go all-in for one final year. The 2026 season is not just another championship campaign – it is a farewell tour. And anyone who knows rally-raid understands that a team competing in its final season often fights even harder. There is a realistic chance that Dacia wants to finish the project with a W2RC world title before closing the chapter in Abu Dhabi.

For the rally-raid scene, this could lead to major changes. Top drivers such as Sébastien Loeb, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Cristina Gutiérrez and Lucas Moraes may become available after 2026, opening the door for other manufacturers and factory teams. Toyota, Ford and potential new projects will certainly pay attention, because a Dakar-winning program does not disappear without leaving an impact.

For us at TimeOut Racing, this news is especially disappointing. During the Dakar Rally 2026, we built a very close and positive connection with the Dacia Sandriders team. The cooperation was open, professional and incredibly friendly – exactly the kind of atmosphere that makes rally-raid such a special motorsport family.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Linda Hirvonen (PR and Communications – The Dacia Sandriders) for the warm, open and supportive collaboration during the Dakar Rally 2026. It was a pleasure working with you and being able to experience the project so closely.

Even if Dacia is leaving after 2026, one thing is clear: The Sandrider project has already written rally-raid history. And sometimes, it is the short projects that become legendary – because they are bold, unexpected, and end at the peak of success.

Now all eyes turn to the 2026 W2RC season. Because in rally-raid racing, nothing ever truly ends. The only question is when the next chapter begins.