The bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal left the World Championship battle on fire — only 10 points separate Nasser Al Attiyah, Henk Lategan, and Lucas Moraes. The Kingdom of Morocco will crown the new World Champion. Place your bets!
The FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) wraps up next week with the Rallye du Maroc (October 10–17), taking competitors back to the dunes and sand of the desert. The event covers 2,299 km, of which 1,478 km are timed, starting in Fez and finishing in Erfoud, an oasis city in the Sahara Desert.
Toyota is aiming to add the Drivers’ title to the Manufacturers’ crown it secured at the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal, while Dacia wants to end its debut season in the W2RC on a high — ideally with the drivers’ championship.
Three-time World Champion Nasser Al Attiyah (Dacia Sandrider) leads the standings with 140 points, but is under more pressure than ever from Henk Lategan (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo) on 131 and Lucas Moraes (Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo) on 130. The fight promises to be fierce in the heart of the Moroccan desert.
Al Attiyah has already won this event seven times, making him the natural favorite. “Last year the battle was tight, but we ended up winning. I’ll work hard, just like the whole team, to try to repeat it. What’s really positive is the great spirit within the team and how we help each other. I know the event very well and I know what to do. The team is ready, the car is strong in open desert, and I’ll give my best to win,” said the Qatari driver, who is chasing his fourth consecutive world title.
Henk Lategan has been one of this season’s revelations and is now Al Attiyah’s main challenger. “It’s my first time racing in Morocco. Of course, it’s a bit of a disadvantage, but we’ll do our best to get up to speed quickly,” said the South African.
It’s the second W2RC season for Lucas Moraes, who claimed his first ever win in Portugal and is now aiming to close the year as World Champion. “I’m very close to Nasser and have a good chance. It’s going to be a tough fight — it’s important to stay focused for so many hours and days in a row. We’ve been very consistent throughout the season, and we go into Morocco confident,” said the Brazilian.