P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The win in the very first test of the Dakar Rally 2026 has gone to Ford and Mattias Ekström. The Swede took 10 minutes and 28 seconds over the total 22-kilometre special stage.
The 2026 Dakar Rally’s leading contenders kicked off the action with the prologue in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, with Mattias Ekström claiming the top spot for Ford. Ekström’s performance secured him the fastest overall time, granting him an advantageous starting position for the upcoming stages. Ford’s dominance was further showcased by Mitch Guthrie, who finished just behind Ekström to cement a one-two finish for the American team. Guillaume de Mévius clinched third place in the X-Raid Mini, showcasing his competitiveness in the tough rally field. With a tightly contested top ten, the competition featured seasoned Dakar veterans like Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah. Despite small time differences in the prologue, the true test lies ahead in the two-week rally, where endurance, navigation, and consistency will determine the overall winner. While prologue times may not impact the final standings, they play a critical role in setting the stage for the intense battles to come.
