Dania Akeel: “I did a good job”

Dakar 2026 | Stage 8 | WADI AD DAWASIR > WADI AD DAWASIR
January 12 ^th 2026 - 16:28 [GMT + 3]

Saudi driver, who won a stage last year in the Challenger class, came within three seconds of a second victory today. However, she had to settle for completing the first all-female one-two finish in the history of the Dakar stage rankings, behind Puck Klaassen.

 “Three seconds behind the winner is not a lot… it’s good. I drove my drive and I did a good job. We have different types of cars so there are different advantages in each car. I think it was a good day. With everybody in this class, there are so many good drivers, you could say that today with all the fast parts and with the strong wind it could be that the windscreen had an advantage but I think a great crew won the stage. I did my best and I think it was a good day”.