“A very good foundation for taking on a new Dakar”
Crew facts
FLC
- The popular ‘Chaleco’ is undoubtedly among the biggest stars of the world’s toughest competition, winner of the Dakar Rally in the SSV category in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
- Looking back on his career, the Chilean racer made his Dakar debut in 2007 in the African sands. In his seven appearances in the Motorbike category between 2007 and 2014, he twice finished on the podium, finishing third in 2010 and 2013. In 2011, he finished fourth, while the other four were retirements, with 11 stage victories.
- After a five-year break, the Curicó native returned to the Dakar in 2019 in a new category, side-by-side, quickly adapting and winning the Peruvian edition. In 2020, now in Saudi Arabia, he finished third with two stage victories. In 2021, "Chaleco" showed exceptional form, winning the Touareg Trophy in two categories — light vehicles and SSV — with five stage victories.
- In 2022, facing the Red Bull drivers, ‘Chaleco’ didn't even need a stage victory to return to the top of the T3 podium. That same year, he won the SSV T3 Prototype world championship, 15 years after winning the two-wheel crown in 2006.
- In 2023, the Chileans experienced a dramatic moment—with images that went viral—while trying to prevent a sudden flood from sweeping away their Can-Am during stage 3. They managed to save the car and finished fifth. In the 2024 edition, they finished fourth, with some setbacks in the second week.
- In the last edition, after a poor start, Chaleco climbed back up to P2, winning five stages. Encouraged by his victory in Morocco and now navigated by Álvaro León, Chaleco will continue to make history in his 15th Dakar.
ALQ
- Álvaro León made his Dakar debut in 2010 as navigator for his father, Fernando, with whom he competed in the car category in four editions.
- After navigating for Hernán Garcés in 2014 and 2015, he won in 2019 alongside Chaleco López in the SxS category.
- Álvaro spent a few editions in the Truck category as Ignacio Casale's main co-driver in 2021 and 2022. The following year, he finished 10th in the T3 category, and in 2024, he retired whilst competing in the Challenger category.
- In addition to enjoying playing the drums, Álvaro is very busy, participating in rally raiding in Chile and Argentina and attending the latest editions of the SARR and DR40.
- In the last Morocco Rally, Álvaro sat to Chaleco's right again after six years, accompanying him to a resounding victory in SSV. He acknowledges that he is more mature and competitive, ready to enjoy himself and go for victory in his 12th Dakar.
Ambition
FLC: "We started the last Dakar very poorly, and far behind. After that, we won five stages. We moved up several places to finish second, which delighted us as a team.
Until Morocco, I had only raced the Dakar in 2025. However, I trained a lot in northern Chile. As for Morocco, it was a very technical rally, very fast, where I only arrived with one W2RC round under my belt and therefore did not know how I was doing. However, I felt very comfortable and confident.
The car was excellent. We have an excellent base to face a new Dakar. In contrast, we arrived at the 2025 edition with a very raw, very new car. It played a dirty trick on us during the first day. This year, we know it much better, and that will give us more confidence.
The route? All Dakar routes are complex. And now with the two marathon stages, it will be even more difficult, but now that we know the machine, we have more confidence to confront all the stages. As for the result, who knows, but as always, we will fight to be on the podium.
A.L.Q: I never expected to race the Dakar so many times, to win it, and to be with such competitive drivers.
I am very grateful for the opportunity my father gave me and also to Casale and López for trusting me. Today, I am a competitive navigator, more resilient, more determined. It is what the Dakar teaches you: it demands a lot on a racing level, but it also teaches life lessons.
It was only at the last Morocco Rally that Chaleco and I sat down together after 2019. We are much more mature, more competitive. It was a race that taught us a lot. We are well prepared for what lies ahead at this point in our lives: Chaleco facing his 15th Dakar, me my 12th.
Although Chaleco and I have a lot of experience in the dunes, the terrain will not change how we approach it. If it's harder, it may be worse for the car, but it shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. We're going to attack on all terrains!"
