DOHA: Qatari driver Abdulaziz Al Kuwari clinched the Qatar International Rally title on Saturday, the second round of the 2026 Middle East Rally Championship, after three days of competitive action.
Al Kuwari, driving a Skoda Fabia R5 Rally2 alongside his brother and co-driver Nasser, completed the 12 special stages in a total time of 1:59:21.7 to secure victory by 5 minutes and 8.8 seconds.
Saudi Arabia’s Hamza Bakhshab, with Irish co-driver Lorcan Moore in a Toyota GR Yaris, finished second in 2:04:30.5, while Qatari Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah and Lebanese co-driver Ziad Shehab took third in a Ford Fiesta on 2:10:51.7.
Jordan’s Shaker Jouihan, partnered by Mustafa Jumaa in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, was fourth in 2:19:50.9. Qatari driver Nawaf Al Suwaidi rounded out the top five with Lithuanian co-driver Aisvydas Paliukinas in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, finishing in 2:21:57.8.
Al Kuwari reclaimed the lead after trailing for much of the rally behind six-time Dakar Rally champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, whose Skoda Fabia R5 Rally2 suffered wheel damage and suspension problems after nine stages, forcing his withdrawal.
With Al Attiyah out, Al Kuwari and his brother navigated the final three stages without incident to seal their second Qatar Rally victory, 14 years after their first success in 2012.
The win marked Al Kuwari’s third career victory in the Middle East Rally Championship, following triumphs at the Cyprus and Oman international rallies in 2014.
It also saw Nasser Al Kuwari make a successful return to the co-driver’s seat after announcing his retirement from motorsport last year.
Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said he was delighted to regain the Qatar Rally title after a 14-year wait and praised his brother’s return, adding it was a fitting way to conclude their national rally campaign together.
