Muscat: Qatari rally star Nasser Al Attiyah, alongside his Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera, ended the six special stages of the opening day of the Qatar International Rally at the top of the provisional overall standings. The event represents Round Two of the 2026 Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
According to Qatar News Agency, driving a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, Al Attiyah clocked the fastest cumulative time of 57 minutes and 25 seconds, securing the lead after a strong and controlled performance across the day's stages. The six-time Dakar Rally winner, who claimed his latest Dakar title earlier this year, finished ahead of his closest challenger, fellow Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who was co-driven by his brother Nasser Al Kuwari in a Skoda Fabia RS, posting a total time of 58:57 minutes.
Qatari driver Mohammed Al Marri delivered an impressive showing in the Rally2 category, despite driving a Citroen C3 for the first time. He claimed third place overall with a time of 1:01:28 hours. Saudi driver Hamzah Bakhashab, navigated by Irish co-driver Lorcan Moore, finished fourth overall in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with a time of 1:02:47 hours.
Rounding out the top five was Qatari driver Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, partnered by Lebanese co-driver Ziad Chehab, who steered their Ford Fiesta to a total time of 1:03:58 hours.
Former Middle East champion Abdullah Al Rawahi of Oman suffered a major setback after sustaining two tyre punctures in the second special stage, forcing him to stop and change a tyre. The delay cost him more than five minutes, effectively ending his bid for a first Qatar victory.
Speaking after the day's action, Nasser Al Attiyah expressed his satisfaction with leading his home rally, stressing his determination to maintain the same approach during the final day to preserve his advantage and secure overall victory. He noted that while he encountered several tyre punctures, careful pace management proved crucial, emphasizing that caution is essential in this type of rally rather than pushing at excessive speed.
The 20-time Middle East champion added that although his lead margin is comfortable, full concentration will be required in Saturday's decisive stages to clinch the title.
For his part, Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, who set the fastest time in the fourth stage after Al Attiyah received a five-second time penalty, expressed satisfaction with his performance so far. He remarked that competing closely behind Al Attiyah can sometimes feel like a victory in itself, adding that second place remains a positive result as he looks to close the gap in the final stages.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Al Marri said his priority is to defend third place overall and maintain his time advantage, despite limited familiarity with the Citroen C3. Saudi driver Hamzah Bakhashab also remained optimistic, believing opportunities remain in the final day to recover time lost due to punctures.
Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, who continues to lead the FIA Masters Drivers Championship, said he enjoyed the day's stages and focused on improving his stage times, stressing the importance of staying calm and finishing the rally cleanly.
In the MERC2 category, Jordanian driver Shaker Jouihan, alongside co-driver Mostafa Jomaa, stood out in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, winning all but one stage en route to sixth place overall with a time of 1:08:06 hours. He finished 2 minutes and 24.5 seconds ahead of compatriots Sami Fleifel and Yazan Jomaa, who placed twelfth overall.
The fight for the MERC4 title saw razor-thin margins among Qatari trio Rashid Al Mohannadi, Nawaf Al Suwaidi, and Khalifa Saleh Al Attiyah, who were separated by mere seconds at the midday regroup.
The three Peugeot 208 crews engaged in a fierce afternoon battle for supremacy, with Khalifa Al Attiyah and Cypriot co-driver Laos Savvas edging ahead of Rashid Al Mohannadi and Irish navigator Gary McElhinney in the final stage to claim eighth overall, just 3.2 seconds clear.
Nawaf Al Suwaidi, guided by Lithuanian co-driver Aisvydas Paliukenas, followed only 2.1 seconds behind, while Ahmed Shaheen Al Mohannadi and Omani co-driver Taha Al Zadjali finished fourth in MERC4 and 11th overall.
The Lebanese duo Charbel Chibli and Carlos Hanna were forced to retire before Stage Six due to an electrical issue, opening the door for Omani drivers Zakariya Al Ameri and Mohammed Al Mazrouei to move up to third place in MERC2. A total of 20 out of 23 crews completed the opening leg of the rally.
Kuwaiti driver Jassem Al Maqawi and co-driver Sulaiman Al Hilal also retired from MERC2 after encountering gearbox failure in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.
The rally concludes on Saturday, with competitors set to tackle six additional special stages before the finish ceremony in Lusail. The final day begins with a slightly modified run through Umm Baraka (22.98 km) at 8:00 a.m., followed by stages at Ras Laffan (16.73 km) and the revised Al Dhakira (15.28 km). After midday service in Lusail, crews will repeat the three stages.
The second pass of Al Dhakira 2 will serve as the Power Stage, awarding bonus championship points to the fastest crews, with five points for the stage winner and one point for fifth place.