The decision to separate FIA and FIM vehicles in certain stages has proved its worth on multiple fronts and will be carried over into the 2026 edition. The format boosts safety by cutting down on overtaking incidents, extends daylight driving time for cars and trucks and rewards the sharpest navigators at the front of the four-wheel field. Four stages will follow this split-course model, grouped into two back-to-back pairs. This way, any strategy hinging on a deliberately late start to gain an advantage the next day is doomed to fail: whatever time is gained on the first day will almost certainly be lost on the second one! 🔜 #Dakar2026 #DakarInSaudi #DakarClassicRally