Mr Dakar’s back. Everything makes sense again.
When Audi pulled the plug on its Dakar program last year, there was plenty of speculation about Stéphane Peterhansel’s future. He stayed silent. He had a plan. In January he missed the marathon for just the third time in 37 years.
Was he done? Was 14 wins at the world’s toughest rally enough? Was retirement beckoning for the 59-year-old?
Not a bit of it.
Defender's Dakar debut will utilise the production-based D7x and make its competitive debut in September
The Frenchman was revealed on Wednesday as the lead driver in a three-car Defender assault on next year’s Dakar – he will also run the full World Rally-Raid Championship in 2026.
Peterhansel, who led the British brand’s test program in Morocco earlier this year, said: “I am delighted to begin a new chapter with Defender.
“The World Rally-Raid Championship is the pinnacle of rallying and off-road competition, while Defender is an iconic and capable 4×4, so for me it’s the perfect match. The team is committed to the championship and has a passion to win. I’m looking forward to taking on this new challenge and together I hope we can take Defender to the top step of the podium.”
Peterhansel’s desire to win remains as strong as ever, but this time he’ll be chasing a class success – Defender’s D7X-R will run in the new-for-2026 stock category. The chassis, which will be powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, comes off the production line at JLR’s Nitra plant before being developed into a race car. The Dakar-bound car shares the same aluminium body, transmission and driveline as the road-going D7x.
Peterhansel has already completed significant test and development Moroccan mileage in the prototype D7X-R
Peterhansel is looking forward to the new challenge of competing in the production-based car.
“I’m excited to take to stock category head on with this team,” he added. “It’s been amazing to get behind the wheel of the Defender D7X-R prototype for the first time in Morocco. While it’s early days, our testing is moving in a positive direction for our preparation for our Dakar debut in 2026.”
Former W2RC T4 title winner Rokas Baciuška joins Peterhansel as a Defender driver. The 25-year-old Lithuanian said: “Defender is an incredible brand synonymous with being unstoppable and embracing the impossible, which is why I am so proud to be a part of this program. I can’t wait to begin my journey with the team and start testing the Defender D7X-R for the first time in anticipation of the 2026 Dakar Rally.”
Defender’s competitive debut will come with a two-car entry on September at Portugal’s penultimate round of the W2RC series. Rally of Morocco, the traditional warm-up for Dakar, will also feature as part of the D7X-R’s development.
James Barclay, managing director of JLR Motorsport, added: “Completing our first official test in the Defender Dakar D7X-R prototype is a huge milestone and kicks off a busy calendar of testing activity on our journey to Dakar. The team are doing phenomenal work as we prepare for the world’s most challenging off-road race in just eight months’ time.
“I’m also extremely proud and excited to announce the first two of our world-class driver line-up. The world-renowned Stéphane Peterhansel brings a remarkable amount of practical experience to the team as the most successful Dakar Rally competitor ever. His knowledge is going to be a huge asset to our programme.
“Rokas Baciuška is one of the most exciting and promising upcoming rally talents, boasting an impressive track record since he first entered the Dakar in 2022 – the same year he was crowned FIA World Rally-Raid Champion in the T4 class.
“With Stéphane and Rokas now on board and testing of the Defender Dakar D7X-R accelerating, it’s a hugely exciting time for the team as we focus on the work that lays ahead.”
