Qatar International Rally Gets Under Way with Al Attiyah Fastest in Qualifying

Qatar International Rally

The 46th Qatar International Rally, the second round of the 2026 Middle East Rally Championship, has begun north of Doha.

Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, alongside Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera, set the fastest time in qualifying, clocking 3:11.10 in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. Fellow Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwari was second, with Mohammed Al Marri finishing third.

The qualifying stage, held in Al Khor, determined the starting order for the top six Rally2 crews.

Friday's program features six gravel stages run over three routes, repeated twice, with 23 crews from 13 countries competing across 12 special stages.

Al Attiyah said he was satisfied with the car's performance, noting that starting further back can be an advantage in the demanding conditions of the Qatar Rally.

(QNA)