GAYDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Defender, the British adventure brand, will be the official automotive partner of the Dakar Rally from 2025 and, from 2026, an official Defender team will compete in what is the world’s toughest rally raid event. Beginning with the Dakar Rally 2025 (Jan. 3-11) and running through 2028, the partnership will provide a fleet of Defenders that will host race officials and VIP media for the duration of the competition. In addition to the iconic brand’s presence throughout the Dakar, a fleet of six specialized Defenders will be provided for reconnaissance, reserved for officials of the Amaury Sport Association (ASO), the Dakar organizing body, for route testing in future Dakar events. Simultaneously with its role as the event’s official vehicle from 2025, Defender has confirmed its intention to participate in the competition with an official team, starting in 2026. The Defender effort will demonstrate the extreme durability and capability of its vehicles in the world’s most challenging off-road race. Details about Defender’s future program in rally raid competitions will be announced during Dakar 2025. “Adventure is in the very DNA of the Defender brand that inspired us to partner with the Dakar-the ultimate automotive adventure-where competitors truly embrace the impossible. Our partnership will begin in 2025, when Defender will showcase its capabilities and durability as the official car of the event, but we are already looking to the future with the goal of registering an official Defender Dakar team from 2026. The Defender Dakar work program will be led by James Barclay, Managing Director of JLR Motorsport, and I know James and his team are excited about the challenge ahead,” said Mark Cameron, Managing Director of Defender. “Anyone who loves motorsport will have a passion for the Dakar. It is the Everest of motorsport, an event where success depends as much on human determination in the harshest conditions as it does on the extreme test of vehicle capabilities and engineering. Bringing the world’s most capable and iconic 4×4 to the world’s most iconic rally-raid is the perfect solution. “Our first entry into the Dakar will be the beginning of our journey. We are aware of how much we have to learn and achieve before we start in 2026, but we are already well underway and can’t wait for the adventure to begin. We will share more details about this exciting program at the Dakar rally in 2025,” added James Barclay, Managing Director JLR Motorsport.The fleet of Defender support vehicles will follow the competitors of Dakar 2025-the 47th edition of the event, and the sixth in Saudi Arabia-on the route that stretches from Bisha to Shubaytah. The epic route includes a challenging three-day adventure through the Rub’al Khali, where the race will reach its conclusion.
photo: press office JLR Italy
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