JLR will enter the prestigious Dakar Rally in 2026 with its Defender brand, marking a significant expansion of the company's motorsport presence. The announcement comes as part of a multi-year partnership with the iconic rally raid event.

The Defender brand, now operating independently following JLR's recent restructuring, will first serve as the official vehicle partner for the 2025 Dakar Rally. Detailed plans for the racing program will be revealed during the 2025 event in January.

Mark Cameron, Defender's managing director, emphasized the natural alignment between the brand's adventurous heritage and Dakar's challenging nature. The works program will be headed by James Barclay, JLR Motorsport managing director, who brings experience from Jaguar's successful Formula E program.

Beyond competition, Defender will supply vehicles for official and media use during the rally, including specially-prepared reconnaissance vehicles for route testing and support operations.

Dakar rally director David Castera welcomed the partnership, highlighting Defender's global presence and shared values of adventure, performance, and innovation.

The 2025 Dakar Rally, starting January 3, will mark the event's 47th running and its fifth year in Saudi Arabia. The rally relocated from its original Senegal location in 2007 due to political instability, briefly stopping in Central Europe before moving to South America, and finally settling in the Middle East in 2020.

Defender joins other major manufacturers Ford and Dacia, who will begin their Dakar campaigns in 2025 with support from M-Sport and Prodrive respectively.

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