Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah Leads Strong Field at 2026 Qatar Rally

Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah is set to lead a competitive field in the 2026 Qatar International Rally, which will take place from February 4 to 7. This event marks the second round of the Middle East Rally Championship for the year, following the opening round held in Oman.

A total of 22 cars representing 12 countries will participate in the rally, organized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The competition is expected to be intense, with various categories showcasing a diverse range of talents and vehicles.

Rally Categories and Key Competitors

Al Attiyah will be joined by his Spanish co-driver, Candido Carrera, after their recent victory in Sohar just days before heading to Qatar. The rally will feature five cars in the Rally2 category, six crews competing for the MERC2 title, six cars in MERC4, one in Rally5, and four in the SSV category.

Among Al Attiyah’s main rivals is Abdullah Al Rawahi, the 2023 Middle East champion, who will drive a Škoda Fabia RS. He is joined by home favorite Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, the 2024 Middle East champion and past winner of the Qatar Rally.

Another noteworthy competitor is rising star Mohammed Al Marri, who will transition from the Rally4 category to Rally2, driving a Citroën C3 for the first time. The reigning World Masters champion, Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, will also compete in a Ford Fiesta within the Rally2 field.

Emerging Talent and Competition Details

In the MERC2 category, Shaker Juhaian from Jordan stands out as a competitor, having recently won the championship in Oman. He will race with co-driver Mustafa Juma in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10. Juhaian faces competition from other notable drivers, including Sami Fleifel, Jassim Al Maqahwi, Zakaria Al Amri, Mohammed Mansour Parul, and Charbel Chibli.

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation continues to focus on supporting local talent through initiatives like the “Qatar Academy Stars” program. Al Marri is one of the program’s success stories, competing in a Rally2 car. Additionally, six teams will vie for the MERC4 championship title, featuring four Peugeot 208s and one Ford Fiesta.

Rashid Al Muhannadi, representing the academy, aims to defend his MERC4 title alongside Irish co-driver Gary McElhenney in a Peugeot 208. They will face stiff competition from experienced drivers like Ahmed Al Kuwari, Khalifa Saleh Al Attiyah, and Nouf Al Suwaidi.

In an attempt to disrupt the dominance of French manufacturers in the MERC4 category, Indian driver Payakal Pankavitel and co-driver Musa Sharif will race in a Ford Fiesta.

The regulations permit small SUVs to score points in the Middle East Rally Championship. A Qatari driver and three Italian competitors will participate, with Mohammed Al Attiyah and Mirko Carrara driving a Can-Am Maverick, while Mario Marotta and Cristiano Gabarini will race in a Yamaha RS1000 YXZ under the supervision of the Kadhi Racing team.

The Lebanese duo of Shadi Al Faqih and Joseph Kmeid will return after overcoming fuel pump issues in the first stage in Amman. They will compete in a Renault Clio RS Rally5.

Unfortunately, Jordanian Sheikh Bader Al Fayez will miss the Qatar Rally due to engine problems encountered in the first stage, while Ehab Al Shurafa was unable to finish the second stage due to a traffic accident.

The Qatar International Rally is organized under the leadership of Abdulrahman Al Mannai, President of the Qatar Rally Federation, along with Abdulrazzaq Al-Kuwari and Amr Al Hamad, members of the Supreme Committee and the Federation’s Executive Director, respectively.