The Land Rover Defender becomes the official car partner to the Dakar rally-raid from January and will become an official competitor in 2026. The partnership, spanning four years from 2025 to 2028, will debut at the 47th Dakar Rally, running from January 3, 2025. Defender will supply a fleet of vehicles to support the event, transporting rally officials and VIP media across the gruelling course. Additionally, six specially equipped Defender reconnaissance vehicles will assist in route testing for future editions of the iconic rally.
Building on this role, Defender has set its sights on competing as an official works team from 2026. This ambitious move is intended to demonstrate the brand’s durability and off-road prowess in one of motorsport’s most challenging environments.
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Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender, expressed excitement about the partnership: “Adventure is at the heart of the Defender brand, and Dakar epitomises the spirit of pushing boundaries. Starting as the event’s official car partner in 2025, we aim to prove Defender’s durability and capability. Looking ahead, the introduction of our works team in 2026 represents a bold step into the world of rally raid, led by James Barclay and his team at JLR Motorsport.”
James Barclay, JLR Motorsport Managing Director, described Dakar as a natural fit for Defender: “The Dakar Rally is the ultimate test of human endurance and engineering excellence. Entering a factory team for the first time is an incredible challenge, and while we have much to learn, our journey has already begun. We look forward to sharing more details at Dakar 2025.”
The Dakar Rally’s Director, David Castera, added: “Defender is an iconic brand that shares Dakar’s passion for adventure and performance. Their vehicles will enhance our operations and route reconnaissance, while their entry as a works team in 2026 will bring new excitement to the competition. Together, we will elevate Dakar’s global profile.”
The 2025 Dakar Rally will mark the beginning of this historic collaboration, with Defender vehicles accompanying competitors on an epic route from Bisha to Shubaytah. The journey includes a dramatic three-day traverse of Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter, concluding in one of the most demanding stages in rally history.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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