Dacia rolls into the world of rally attacks and prepares for a 2026 season built on a bigger team, deeply updated prototypes and clearly stated goals. There Dakar remains the main arrival point, but the Sandriders project, created to bring the brand’s technical essence to the racing field, is expanding in all directions.
Evolution
Sandrider, developed with Prodrive and modeled from the first design thanks to direct contributions from pilots and navigators, is facing a new phase in its evolution. The last few months of work have touched on the most complex areas of the prototype: temperature management, structural lighting, visibility at night and stagesmechanical resistance. A series of improvements are designed to deal with a World Championship that puts pressure on vehicles and drivers at every kilometre.
New entry
From a sporting perspective, the most obvious news is the entry of the Lucas Moraes – Dennis Zenz duo, which will bring Dacia’s number of cars to four starting in 2026. A step in response to the transformation of modern rally-raid which is increasingly tight and competitive. This was confirmed by the Team Leader Tiphanie Isnard:”Rally-raid has evolved a lot in recent years, the competition has become increasingly tough and intense. Nowadays wins are played out in seconds rather than minutes, especially thanks to the BoP system created by the FIA. For Dacia to fight for victory, it is important to be able to rely on equipment comparable to other manufacturers that produce at least four cars.“. The arrival of Moraes and Zenz is a natural thing, explained Isnard further, considering how their presence immediately blends into the spirit of the team. A vision that the brand also shares: “The desire to win Dakar 2026 is an integral part of our long-term ambitions“, he emphasized Frank MarottaDirector of Marketing, Sales and Operations Dacia. “Lucas and Dennis perfectly embody the Dacia spirit: they’re cool, ready for adventure and focused on what’s important“.
Approach to challenges
These two new crews arrived with enthusiasm and a very direct approach to the challenge. “This is an ambitious project and I can’t wait to start this adventure“, said Moraes, ready to follow up on the results obtained in the last few seasons. Zenz emphasized the same energy: “With the people involved and the energy contained in this project, I am confident we will achieve something special“. The 2026 World Championship will take the team to very different terrains: from the Saudi dunes to the Portuguese track, from the special track of Argentina to the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. A context that requires reliability and perfect car management, two aspects that are at the heart of the Sandrider update. Dacia arrives in this new chapter with an improved project.
The course is set: compete to win, by one growing team and prototypes that evolve to face the desert with more awareness. If rally-raiding is a challenge of endurance and precision, 2026 will be the time when Dacia will try to show how far it can go.
