‘Mr Dakar’ Peterhansel returns with Defender for 2026

Peugeot driver Stephane Peterhansel celebrates with the trophy after he won the Dakar Rally 2016 in Rosario, Argentina, Jan. 16, 2016. (Reuters/File)
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Updated 07 May 2025
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‘Mr Dakar’ Peterhansel returns with Defender for 2026

  • The Frenchman did not enter this year after Audi withdrew but will be back in Saudi Arabia next January
  • Peterhansel won the Dakar six times on motorcycles

RABAT: ‘Mr Dakar’ Stephane Peterhansel, a record 14 times winner of the Dakar Rally, will return to the gruelling endurance event next year aged 60 as a driver for Jaguar Land Rover’s Defender brand.
The Frenchman, who turns 60 in August, did not enter this year after Audi withdrew but will be back in Saudi Arabia next January competing in the Stock category for production-based vehicles.

It will be Peterhansel’s 36th career Dakar, an event he last won in 2021 with Mini. He will also compete in the full World Rally-Raid Championship.
Peterhansel won the Dakar six times on motorcycles between 1991 and 1998 before switching in 1999 to cars and winning with Mitsubishi, Mini and Peugeot.
“I’m looking forward to taking on this new challenge and together I hope we can take Defender to the top step of the podium,” he said in a statement after prototype testing in Morocco’s Sahara desert.
While Peterhansel holds the record for most wins, Spaniard Carlos Sainz — father of the namesake Formula One driver — is the oldest winner after taking his fourth victory in 2024 at the age of 61.
Defender also announced the signing of Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuska, 25. A third driver and the co-drivers will be announced at a later date.


Pakistan legend Akram hails ‘incredible’ Starc after Ashes heroics

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Pakistan legend Akram hails ‘incredible’ Starc after Ashes heroics

  • Australia’s Mitchell Starc surpassed Akram’s tally of 414 test wickets during Brisbane match against England
  • Akram says despite being 35, Starc can “go on and on” due to his passion for cricket and fiery pace bowling

KARACHI: Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram believes even more is to come from Australia’s “incredible” veteran Ashes wrecking ball Mitchell Starc.

Akram was reacting to Starc surpassing his tally of 414 wickets during the Brisbane Test against England on Thursday, becoming the leading left-arm pace bowler of all time.

“Congratulations to Starc on passing my tally of wickets,” Akram told AFP, saying that the 35-year-old’s passion and commitment helped set him apart.

“Starc has shown a great amount of dedication and focus in these times of too much cricket, having T20 leagues with big money coming your way.

“He did play T20 leagues but then decided to play more Tests and left the shorter format because he wanted to be remembered as one of the best in the world in the history of the game.

“Ten years down the line, if anyone decides to have an all-time Test team, then Starc will be named in that team for sure.”

Despite trumping Akram, Starc described the Pakistan great as the “pinnacle.”

“Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am,” Starc said on Thursday.

Akram dismissed the debate over who is the greatest.

“It is difficult to compare both of us because we are from different eras,” he said. “People say that I played on placid tracks and he played on bouncy Aussie tracks, so that was different.

“But nowadays batters have a different mindset and they play aggressive shots even on good balls, so that makes wicket-taking a more difficult art.”

Akram said he believed Starc’s passion could take him further.

“He is 35 and his pace is still there and passion remains at its peak. He has been incredible as a fast bowler and is enjoying fast bowling, so can go on and on.”