Has an F1 driver ever won the Dakar Rally?

The Dakar Rally is the toughest rally event in the world which tests drivers and machinery to the limit.

Has an F1 driver ever won the Dakar Rally?

Fernando Alonso at the Dakar Rally (Via IMAGO)

The Dakar Rally is the biggest event in the world of rallying. The iconic race tests drivers and machinery over some of the most challenging terrain in the world. Since the inception of the prestigious event in 1978, drivers from across the globe have tried to emerge victorious at The Dakar. However, only a couple of drivers from Formula 1 have managed to win this event.

Belgian driver Jacky Ickx was the first F1 driver who won the Dakar. Ickx won eight races in his F1 career over the years, having driven for Ferrari and Lotus. The 8-time race winner first participated in the Dakar Rally in 1981 with French carmaker Citreon. However, he failed to complete this challenging rally.

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The Former Ferrari driver decided to join forces with Mercedes the following year. Jacky Ickx emerged victorious at the 1983 Dakar Rally with the Silver Arrows. This iteration of the event had a total of fourteen participants. This marked the first occasion when an F1 driver conquered Dakar.

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Only 2 F1 drivers have claimed victory at the Dakar Rally

Jacky Ickx was not the only driver from Formula 1 to win the Dakar. French driver Jean-Louis Schlesser is the only other driver from the pinnacle of motorsport to have won this incredible event. However, it must be noted that Schlesser had a short-lived career in F1 with only two races under his belt.

The Schlesser Buggy
The Schlesser Buggy (Via Fortin Racing)

The French driver made his debut at the Dakar Rally in 1984. Schlesser made his own buggies after a failed first attempt. Ultimately, Jean-Louis Schlesser managed to win the iconic event twice with his own Schlesser-Renault buggies in 1999 and 2000. As he managed to outperform behemoths such as the likes of Citreon.

Certainly, since then, many other drivers from Formula 1 have attempted the Dakar, including Fernando Alonso. However, it seems that the toughest rally event in the world might have managed to challenge even the drivers racing at the pinnacle of motorsport. Although, Carlos Sainz Sr. the father of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has won the Dakar. Perhaps, the father-son duo could take the challenge together in the future.

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