During the first week of the Rally Dakar 2026, incidents related to tyres have multiplied, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty among the teams. All competitors in the top category T1+ have been affected, turning the race into a true lottery where the winner could well be the one who avoids the most punctures. At the heart of this storm, BFGoodrich is under fire for the reliability of its new tyre.
A chaotic first week
The Dakar stages are never a smooth ride, but this edition has particularly tested the nerves of the drivers. Many teams have encountered recurring problems with their tyres, with some drivers even suffering repeated punctures during a single stage. In certain sectors, enforced stops to change tyres have been necessary, allowing competitors to reach the finish without too much damage.
Joan Navarro, technical director of M-Sport Ford, expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview with Motorsport.com. “We are not at all happy with BFGoodrich,” he stated. “The tyre is new; it’s not the same as last year.” He emphasised that the late development of the tyre left little time for teams to adapt. “We used this tyre for the first time in October, during the Rally of Morocco. It was far too late.”
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