January 10, 2025
The Coronel brothers head into the rest day of the 2025 Dakar Rally lying 20th overall after the first five stages.
Known as one of the most gruelling and prestigious motorsport events in the world, the 2025 Dakar Rally pits drivers against endless sand dunes, treacherous rocky tracks, and the unforgiving landscapes of Saudi Arabia. A true test of endurance, skill, and resilience, this year’s rally stretches over 7,000 kilometres, with 12 punishing stages to push competitors and their vehicles to their limits.
As the event reaches its rest day, the Coronel team have a chance to assess their progress, make crucial repairs, and strategise for the demanding stages ahead. No strangers to the Dakar Rally, Tim and Tom Coronel are known for their resourcefulness and unwavering determination. Their Century CR7 4x4, is custom-built for the demanding T1+ class, which features some of the most powerful and rugged vehicles in the competition.
Seasoned Dakar veterans, the Dutch twin brothers are determined to conquer the desert. Following the prologue, Tim Coronel reflected positively on the start, saying, “The car felt good, and it was a good ride to get everything going.” Their 34th place position set a solid foundation for the main stages to come.
The first stage of the rally, Bisha to Bisha, tested their navigation skills and endurance over 400 kilometres of rocky tracks and soft sand, then the crew went into the 965km 48hr Chrono stage. This stage requires teams to bivouac overnight without external support, creating one of the rally's most gruelling challenges. While the team maintained a steady pace, a navigation error and a puncture cost them valuable time.
Stage three, Bisha to Al Henakiyah, saw the team regain momentum, with faster tracks that allowed them to showcase the CR7’s strengths. Their clean driving and precise navigation earned them an improved position in the rankings. Reflecting on the day, Tom said, “We focused on clean driving and good navigation today, and it made a difference.”
The marathon stages, Al Henakiyah to Al-'Ula, then Al-'Ula to Ha'il, saw the Coronel team 29th overall going into the marathon bivouac. The crew went faster again on Thursday, completing the 428-kilometre stage to Hail in a little over five hours’ time, leaving them in 20th overall going into the rally's rest day.
The brothers had prepared well for this demanding stage, where variety was the key. “Today was all about building speed, slowing down, and then doing it all over again,” Tim explains. “We faced sandy tracks, rocks, and everything in between. But we didn’t let ourselves get tempted to go too fast over the rocks, and that felt good. Navigation was tricky, but we managed it well. We only made one mistake, but we realized it quickly and corrected it.”
The rest day sees the support team performing essential maintenance on the car, with essential components completely taken apart: from testing the springs to replacing the third gear and seals. “It’s hard work, but we know why we’re doing it. Everything is in top condition now, which will benefit us in the dunes.” said Tim.
Starting week two in 20th place, the team is full of confidence. “We mainly want to stay out of trouble and steadily move up,” Tim added. “The car feels fantastic, we’re in sync with each other, and we know what’s ahead. It’s all about smart driving and seizing our moment.”
The second half of the rally brings tough dunes, but the brothers see this as an opportunity. “The four-wheel drive makes a world of difference,” Tim explains. “Where we struggled in two-wheel drive before, we now have much more grip and confidence in the sand. It’s still tough, but the Century CR7 feels great, and that gives us an edge.”
The goal for the second week is clear: hold onto their top-20 position and perhaps climb even higher. With their confidence restored and the car ready for action, nothing seems to stand in the way of a strong second half of the rally.
Commitment to Sustainability
This year, the Coronel brothers are racing not just to compete but also to demonstrate that motorsport and sustainability can go hand in hand. Through their ongoing partnership with Carbon Positive Motorsport, the Coronels are ensuring that all carbon emissions from their competition and support vehicles are fully offset.
Steve Smith, Director of Carbon Positive Motorsport, expressed his pride in the collaboration: “We are extremely proud to support the Coronel Dakar Team's environmental plans, ensuring that their participation in the Dakar Rally is both competitive and sustainable.”
Tim Coronel echoed this sentiment, adding, “We are excited to be working with Carbon Positive Motorsport again this year. They make it easy for teams like ours to compete responsibly.”
The Competition So Far
The competition in this year’s rally has been fierce. In the car category, Henk Lategan of Toyota holds a commanding lead, maintaining a 10-minute advantage over local favourite Yazeed Al-Rajhi. Nasser Al-Attiyah of Dacia trails in third, following a 10-minute penalty that relegated him from a stage win.
In the motorcycle division, Australian rider Daniel Sanders continues to lead, despite navigation issues during the stages. Spain’s Tosha Schareina and Botswana’s Ross Branch remain close contenders, rounding out the top three.
Current Top 10 Standings: Cars
Henk Lategan (Toyota)
Yazeed Al-Rajhi (Toyota)
Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia)
Seth Quintero (Toyota)
Mattias Ekström (Ford)
Sebastien Loeb (BRX)
Guerlain Chicherit (BRX)
Giniel de Villiers (Toyota)
Lucio Alvarez (Toyota)
Jakub Przygonski (Mini)
Current Top 10 Standings: Motorcycles
Daniel Sanders (KTM)
Tosha Schareina (Honda)
Ross Branch (Hero)
Adrien Van Beveren (Honda)
Skyler Howes (Husqvarna)
Kevin Benavides (KTM)
Joan Barreda (Honda)
Pablo Quintanilla (Honda)
Ricky Brabec (Honda)
Matthias Walkner (KTM)
Looking Ahead
As the rally resumes, the Coronel brothers remain focused on the challenging stages ahead. With marathon legs and unpredictable conditions still to come, their preparation, experience, and the tireless support of their crew will be critical. The rally concludes in Shubaytah on January 17, 2025, where the Coronel Team hopes to cross the finish line, completing another successful campaign and proving that racing and responsibility can go hand in hand.
January 3, 2025: Prologue in Bisha
January 4, 2025: Stage 1 – Bisha to Bisha
January 5-6, 2025: Stage 2 (Marathon) – Bisha to Bisha
January 7, 2025: Stage 3 – Bisha to Al Henakiyah
January 8, 2025: Stage 4 – Al Henakiyah to Al-'Ula
January 9, 2025: Stage 5 – Al-'Ula to Ha'il
January 10, 2025: Rest Day in Ha'il
January 11, 2025: Stage 6 – Ha'il to Al Duwadimi
January 12, 2025: Stage 7 – Al Duwadimi to Al Duwadimi
January 13, 2025: Stage 8 – Al Duwadimi to Riyadh
January 14, 2025: Stage 9 – Riyadh to Haradh
January 15, 2025: Stage 10 – Haradh to Shubaytah
January 16, 2025: Stage 11 – Shubaytah to Shubaytah
January 17, 2025: Stage 12 – Shubaytah to Shubaytah
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