Dakar 2027: Alonso reported with Aston Martin and Prodrive
The newsroomUpdated on October 7, 20263 minFernando Alonso is reported to be heading to the 2027 Dakar in a Prodrive Aston Martin, with Al-Attiyah helping him. What is known and what is unconfirmed.
Key point
Several outlets report that Fernando Alonso will contest the 2027 Dakar in a Prodrive-built Aston Martin; the entry has not yet been officially announced.
Fernando Alonso is set to return to the Dakar Rally in January 2027 in an Aston Martin built by Prodrive. Several outlets report it, but neither the driver nor the team has officially confirmed the entry yet, so this article separates what is reported from what is established.
An Aston Martin based on the Dacia Sandrider
According to Motorsport.com, the car is an Aston Martin rally-raid prototype prepared by Prodrive from the Dacia Sandrider, which won the last Dakar with Nasser Al-Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin. Rallye-Magazin adds that Prodrive has reportedly recovered at least two former Sandriders after the Dacia works effort ended, and that the Aston Martin bodywork is still being prepared. Motorsport.com also says Dacia will end its W2RC programme after 2026, a year earlier than planned. A possible "Dreadnought" name is not confirmed.
Al-Attiyah as Alonso's teacher
Mundo Deportivo reports that Nasser Al-Attiyah, the 2026 winner, has joined the project for the Dakar only and will do an initial test with Alonso to show him how the car works, which is very different from the Toyota Hilux of 2020. The paper stresses that the official announcement is still missing. Motorsport.com also mentions Sébastien Loeb among Prodrive's options, with nothing official.
A comeback seven years after 2020
Alonso finished 13th in the 2020 Dakar in a Toyota Hilux with Marc Coma as co-driver; Coma, a five-time Dakar winner on motorcycles, is again expected beside him. This time the preparation would be much shorter: Mundo Deportivo speaks of three months, against 9 months before the 2020 Dakar, with Formula 1 races in between. According to Rallye-Magazin, which gives Alonso's age as 45, he is also expected to stay in F1 with Aston Martin in 2027.
Dakar 2027 location still uncertain
The official plan is Saudi Arabia from 1 to 15 January 2027, with 13 stages and 5,320 km of timed sections. Given security concerns in the Middle East, organiser A.S.O. is reportedly preparing a shorter backup event in Morocco, according to Motorsport.com, with no decision made so far.
Key points
- Alonso's entry is reported by the press, not yet officially announced.
- Car: a Prodrive prototype derived from the Sandrider, in Aston Martin colours.
- First test with Al-Attiyah expected; the 2027 Dakar location is not settled.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fernando Alonso officially entered in the 2027 Dakar?
Several outlets say so, in a Prodrive-built Aston Martin, but the entry has not yet been officially announced.
Who will be Alonso's co-driver?
Marc Coma, who sat alongside him in 2020, is expected back according to the outlets cited; it is not officially confirmed.
Where and when is the 2027 Dakar?
The official plan is Saudi Arabia from 1 to 15 January 2027 over 13 stages; a Morocco backup is reportedly being prepared, with no decision made.
Sources
- Motorsport.com — Alonso to contest Dakar with Aston Martin
- Rallye-Magazin — Alonso set for Dakar comeback with Prodrive
- Mundo Deportivo — Al-Attiyah to teach Alonso for Dakar 2027
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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