Al-Attiyah Claims Record Ninth Oman Victory Despite Three Punctures
World Stage Journal
2026 Oman International Rally, Sohar, January 22–24: MERC career win 92 for the Qatari champion in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, co-driven by Spain's Candido Carrera
Nasser Al-Attiyah and Candido Carrera won the 2026 Oman International Rally, the opening round of the Middle East Rally Championship, held in the port city of Sohar from January 22 to 24. Despite suffering three punctures, the Qatari-Spanish pairing in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 finished 2 minutes 8.8 seconds ahead of Omani home driver Abdullah Al-Rawahi. The victory was Al-Attiyah's ninth in Oman — a new all-time record for the event — and MERC career win number 92.
Three punctures. For most drivers, that spells the end of a victory charge. Not for Nasser Al-Attiyah. On the roads around Sohar, the Qatari champion absorbed each blow, maintained his rhythm, and ultimately finished 2 minutes 8.8 seconds clear of Omani home driver Abdullah Al-Rawahi in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.
A ninth victory in Oman — a number no one else in the history of the event has reached. The win was also MERC career win number 92 for the Qatar-born champion, adding another chapter to a record that belongs to him alone.
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