During the first week of the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, there have been numerous tyre failures. Almost every team and vehicle in the top class has been affected, with some drivers suffering multiple punctures in a single day. On some stages, pit stops for tyre changes were introduced as some teams were even struggling to complete the distance.
This has led some drivers to describe the race as a “lottery”. With such close time gaps in the leading group, the eventual winner could simply be the one who reaches the finish with the fewest punctures. In the bivouac, criticism is mounting against tyre manufacturer BFGoodrich.
