Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah favourite at Dakar

Doha, Qatar: After three decades in Africa and 11 editions in South America, Dakar, the toughest rally on the planet, is coming to Saudi Arabia.

But that does not stop Qatar's Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, the reigning champion, from being the hot favourite next January.

Alongside co-driver Matthieu Baumel (FRA) and at the wheel of his Toyota Hilux, Al-Attiyah has been on great form during recent years. A dune-driving natural, it's hard not to see the Qatari challenging for a fourth Dakar title in January.

"There's so many good drivers out there," Al Attiyah says. "The only way to stay in front is to be at your best every day of the rally."

Also taking their place on the start line in Jeddah on January 5 will be a pair of all-new MINI John Cooper Works Buggies.

The husband and wife team of Stéphane Peterhansel (FRA) and Andrea Peterhansel (GER) will take charge of one buggy, while Carlos Sainz (ESP) and Lucas Cruz (ESP) will race the other.

The fact that the married couple won the 2019 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies suggests they have a great chance of more success in Saudi Arabia.

Among the Peterhansels' biggest challengers for the win will be their team-mates Sainz (ESP) and his co-driver Cruz (ESP).

Sainz himself is a two-time winner of the Dakar car race and one of the most recognisable faces in the bivouac.

Toyota Gazoo Racing's Giniel de Villiers (ZAF) is another driver in the pack who knows what it takes to win the Dakar. De Villiers won the first Dakar in South America, can he win the first Dakar in the Middle East? That's his aim along with co-driver Alex Haro (ESP).

Further contenders for car class glory include Jakub 'Kuba' Przygonski (POL) and co-driver Timo Gottschalk (GER). The pair finished the year as runners-up in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas and have a powerful MINI John Cooper Works Rally at their disposal.