DOHA: The 46th Qatar International Rally, the second round of the 2026 Middle East Rally Championship, got underway on Thursday north of Doha.
Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, partnered by Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera, set the fastest time in qualifying, clocking 3:11.10 in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Fellow Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwari finished second, with Mohammed Al Marri third.The qualifying stage, held in Al Khor, determined the starting order for the top six Rally2 crews.
Friday’s programme features six gravel stages across three routes, each run twice, with 23 crews from 13 countries competing over a total of 12 special stages.
Al Attiyah said he was satisfied with the car’s performance, adding that starting further back in the order can be an advantage in the demanding conditions of the Qatar Rally.
