Here's how you get the nickname 'Mr Dakar'

Officially he’s Monsieur Stéphane Peterhansel, but to the rally-raid world he’s simply ‘Mr Dakar’. When it comes to the world’s toughest desert race, nobody is more decorated than the 14-time Dakar champ. Since the late 1980s he’s dominated the dunes on two wheels and four, winning the Dakar six times on motorcycles and eight in a car. In his 35 starts he’s also been runner-up three times and finished third twice, meaning he’s stood on the podium in over half of the Dakar Rallies he’s entered. With 83 stage victories thrown in for good measure. How’s that for a record? 

And he’s absolutely not done yet, because for the 2026 Dakar he’s joining Defender Rally alongside co-driver Mika Metga – himself a Dakar veteran with several top ten finishes on bikes. Together the two Frenchmen are a tour de force, the ultimate combo of driving superpower and desert knowhow. The 2026 event might be Defender’s Dakar debut, but with this sort of experience leading the driver line-up, it’ll come all guns blazing. 

“I’m delighted to begin a new chapter with Defender,” says 60-year-old Peterhansel. “The World Rally-Raid Championship is the pinnacle of rallying and off-road competition, while Defender is an iconic and capable 4x4, so for me it’s the perfect match.” And in typical Mr Dakar style he’s setting his sights high. “Together,” he says, “I hope we can take Defender to the top step of the podium.” 

So how do you keep a cool head in the world’s hottest race? Peterhansel doesn’t just drive – he dissects the desert. Every crest, every dune, every blind bend is calculated several moves ahead. Sure, superhuman reactions are vital, but pair that with planning and patience and you have the perfect desert-driving recipe. This is a race that punishes impulse and rewards intelligence. A race where red mist is the enemy (along with sandstorms, flash floods and fatigue). “Whoever tackles this race should not be crazy,” he says. “Otherwise you won’t make it.” 

Alongside him, the equally ice-cool Metge will be taking care of navigation, strategy and imparting desert wisdom. Having mastered the Dakar on two wheels he’s felt every lump, bump and dune over years in the saddle, before a knee injury forced him to switch to four wheels and the co-driver’s seat. With the route and terrain mapped into his brain, he’ll be more than just eyes and ears – instead working as one with Peterhansel.  

“Driving alongside Stéphane is a true career highlight,” says Metge. “An icon like Defender joining the Dakar Rally is a monumental moment for off-road racing and I can’t wait to return and make my mark. And there’s nobody better to race with than the Dakar legend himself!” 

Despite all this experience, there are still new challenges for the duo. They’ll be competing in the Stock Category, one of the toughest and most closely contested classes. In other words, a class where driver skill is more important than pure firepower. Which is why Peterhansel has already been getting to grips with his new ride during testing in Morocco. 

“It was amazing to get behind the wheel of the Defender Dakar D7X-R prototype for the first time,” he says. “Despite competing in many Dakar Rallies before, both on bike and in cars, I’m looking forward to entering the Stock category, and I’m excited to take it head on with this team”. 

And the Dakar could just be the start of a long and successful partnership. Because after the Defender’s desert debut, it’ll go on to tackle the rest of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship throughout 2026 – giving the all-star Frenchmen plenty of time to build the ultimate alliance triomphante. 

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