Al Attiyah Wins Record 20th Middle East Rally Championship

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

Qatar’s rally legend Nasser bin Saleh Al Attiyah has once again written his name in motorsport history. He secured his record 20th Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) title for the 2025 season. This achievement is historic because no other driver in the region has ever reached such a milestone. Al Attiyah’s consistent dominance over two decades makes him one of the most celebrated rally drivers in the world.

Securing The Championship In Lebanon

Al Attiyah confirmed his title win after finishing second at the 47th Lebanon International Rally. This was the fifth round of the MERC series. Even though he did not win the race itself, the points he collected from his second-place finish were enough to guarantee him the overall championship trophy before the season finale. The Lebanon rally was intense and closely contested, but Al Attiyah’s performance was strong enough to achieve the bigger goal—securing the title.

How The Lebanon Rally Unfolded

The Lebanon International Rally tested drivers across tough and technical mountain stages. Al Attiyah, driving his Skoda Fabia RS alongside Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera, completed the rally in a time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 45 seconds. He finished just 9.2 seconds behind Lebanese rally hero Roger Feghali, who claimed victory in his Toyota GR Yaris with co-driver Joseph Matar. Despite narrowly missing out on a rally win, Al Attiyah gained full championship points because Feghali was not registered for the MERC series.

Local Champion Roger Feghali Takes The Rally Win

Although the bigger championship focus was on Al Attiyah, the Lebanon crowd celebrated the victory of their own driver, Roger Feghali. He is a well-known figure in Lebanese motorsport and has won the event many times before. Alongside his co-driver Joseph Matar, Feghali’s strong drive allowed him to beat Al Attiyah by less than ten seconds. His win gave the local fans plenty of pride, even though it did not affect the MERC standings.

Podium And Top Finishers In Lebanon Rally

Behind Al Attiyah and Feghali, the rally’s third place was taken by Lebanese driver Elias El Dahdah with his Italian co-driver Nicola Arena in a Skoda Fabia. They completed the event in 1 hour, 53 minutes, and 5 seconds. The top five positions also included Saudi driver Basil Abu Hamdan in a Volkswagen Polo and Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Kuwari in a Skoda Fabia RS. The competition was tough, showing the growing strength of rallying talent in the Middle East.

Championship Won Before Final Round

One of the most impressive parts of Al Attiyah’s 2025 championship is that he sealed the title with one full round still to be held. The final round is scheduled to take place in Cyprus between October 3 and 5. But thanks to his victories in earlier rallies and the points gained in Lebanon, Al Attiyah cannot be overtaken in the standings. This shows how dominant he has been throughout the season.

Al Attiyah’s Season Of Victories

The Qatar champion’s path to his 20th MERC crown was built on an incredible run of victories. He started the season by winning the opening four rounds, held in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. These early wins gave him a strong points advantage. By the time the Lebanon rally came, he only needed a safe finish to confirm the title. His consistency, speed, and experience made the difference once again.

The Role Of His Co-Driver Carrera

Rallying is not a one-man sport. Al Attiyah was supported by his co-driver, Candido Carrera from Spain. Carrera has been a key part of Al Attiyah’s success this season, guiding him with precise pace notes and navigation. In fact, Carrera had already secured the Co-Drivers’ Championship title before the Lebanon round even began. This partnership has proved to be one of the strongest in the MERC series.

Why This Title Is Special

For Al Attiyah, every championship win is important, but the 2025 title is especially significant because it is his 20th. Winning once or twice is impressive, but winning 20 times shows unmatched consistency and dedication. It proves his ability to adapt to different terrains, conditions, and competitors across many years. This makes him not just a regional star but also an international motorsport icon.

A Legend Of Rallying

Over the years, Nasser Al Attiyah has built a reputation far beyond the Middle East. He is also famous for his performances in the Dakar Rally, where he has won multiple titles. His skills, determination, and love for motorsport have made him a role model for young drivers across the region. By winning the 2025 MERC, he has shown once again why he is considered one of the best rally drivers in history.

Growing Popularity Of MERC

The Middle East Rally Championship has been growing in strength and reputation. With drivers from different countries such as Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Oman taking part, the competition has become more exciting each year. The 2025 season has attracted great attention, and Al Attiyah’s success adds even more prestige to the series. Events like the Lebanon International Rally also bring international attention to the region’s motorsport scene.

Challenges Faced In Rally Racing

Rally racing is not an easy sport. Drivers must face gravel roads, mountain climbs, sharp turns, and sometimes extreme weather. Cars must be strong and fast, while drivers need excellent concentration and bravery. Al Attiyah’s ability to handle these challenges across so many years is what makes his achievement so remarkable. His Skoda Fabia RS, combined with his experience and teamwork with Carrera, helped him overcome these challenges once again.

Looking Ahead To Cyprus Rally

Although the championship has already been won, the final round in Cyprus will still be an important event. It will give Al Attiyah another chance to showcase his skills, and fans will be eager to see if he can end the season with yet another rally win. For other drivers, it will be a chance to prove themselves and aim for the podium, even though the overall title has been decided.

Inspiration For Young Drivers

Al Attiyah’s success continues to inspire young drivers across Qatar, the Middle East, and beyond. His journey shows that with hard work, passion, and determination, long-term success is possible. Many young talents from the region now look up to him as a hero and aim to follow in his footsteps. His legacy in motorsport will last for many years to come.

A Champion Beyond Compare

The 2025 Middle East Rally Championship will be remembered as the season when Nasser Al Attiyah achieved his record 20th title. His performance in Lebanon, his earlier victories, and his teamwork with Candido Carrera all combined to create another golden chapter in his career. For Qatar, this win is a moment of national pride, while for motorsport fans, it is another example of why Al Attiyah is a legend of rally racing.

Nasser Al Attiyah, Middle East Rally, Lebanon International Rally