Quintero leads Toyota domination on the second stage of the Dakar Rally as Al-Attiyah takes the overall lead

Toyota was the class of the field as it locked out the top five positions on the second day of the Dakar Rally, with American driver Seth Quintero leading the charge with the stage win.

“If you’re battling your teammates for a win, then you’re having a good day. So today was a good day,” said Quintero. “I think we’re in a good way. Obviously, we’ve done a lot of strategizing and everything, so if I can have an ok day tomorrow and be in mid pack at the start of the marathon then I’ll be a happy camper”.

Toyota might have dominated, but it was Dacia’s Nasser Al-Attiyah that ended the day atop of the overall standings in the Car class after the 400km run to Al-Ula. It marks the first time Al-Attiyah has led the Dakar Rally since his most recent overall victory in 2023, and comes a year after Dacia's debut in the event, but it’s a narrow lead with Quintero just seven seconds behind the Qatari after his strong performance.

“It was a good day. I am really quite happy to not really go crazy from the beginning, without any punctures,” said Al-Attiyah. “This is what we need to do for the next two or three days and then we can find our rhythm. The key of the Dakar will be tomorrow because I think it will be hard navigation. This area is not easy”.

Quintero's Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Henk Lategan ended the day second, with the Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux T1+ of Yazeed Al Rajhi completing the top three.

Toyota's top five whitewash was completed by Toby Price in another Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux, with Joao Ferreira of Toyota Gazoo Racing SA fifth. Sebastien Loeb beat rally leader and Dacia Sandriders teammate Al-Attiyah to sixth, with Michal Goczal (Energylandia Rally Team), Saood Variawa (Toyota Gazoo Racing SA) and Eryk Goczal (Energylandia Rally Team) completing the top-10.

Stage 1 winner Guillaume de Mevius slipped to third overall, a minute and nine seconds adrift of Al-Attiyah, after finishing 11th in the day.

“Opening is never easy but we knew it wouldn’t be,” said de Mevius. “Honestly, there were no major pitfalls, at least we didn’t really get caught out by the navigation. Opening the stage is intense though. From a concentration its difficult because there are no tracks or reference points, apart from the bikes but it’s not always constant and we can’t always go through the same places. So, it’s really demanding in terms of concentration.

“I think it went well. We’ll see the times of the guys behind us. They’re going to be faster but I hope we haven’t lost too much time. Overall, I’m happy with the day. Tomorrow, from what we have heard, is going to be a big day, a little bit like today in my opinion but maybe even tougher. So, I think we’ll both be in a good position and it’s a good start to the race”.

In the Stock class, Sara Price led her Defender Rally teammate Rokas Baciuska. Lucas del Rio topped the Challenger class for BBR Motorsport, while Goncalo Guerreiro won the SSV category.

On two wheels, Daniel Sanders usurped his Red Bull Factory Racing teammate Edgar Canet at the top of the field after winning the day's stage.