Vaidotas Zala: "We went full gas all the time"

Dakar 2026 | Stage 7 | RIYADH > WADI AD DAWASIR
January 11 ^th 2026 - 17:11 [GMT + 3]

The Lithuanian claimed the car race in the first special ever held on Saudi soil, back in 2020. Six years on, now driving a truck, he has become the first driver in history to prevail in both categories.

"It was a navigator's stage, it was for Paulo! We were behind Loprais, but there was a critical spot and we went down the right canyon faster than he did. Meanwhile, Mitch had had a puncture, so we overtook two trucks in a kilometre. From then on, we went full gas all the time. There was a bit of dust, but it was really nice! I think the standings are just going to get tighter and tighter."