The renowned blue armada of the Russian racing world, the Kamaz-Master works team, traditionally a dominant presence at the Dakar rally, will not take part in the forthcoming edition. Team members cited an inability to sign the FIA submission form as the decisive reason. The group’s press office issued a formal statement explaining the decision.
The official note claimed that Russian athletes’ involvement in Dakar hinges on agreeing to a questionnaire issued by the International Automobile Federation, which condemns Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The statement described the document as politically charged and argued that it undermines the principle of fair competition. Because of these concerns, the team said it could not sign the document or participate under the described conditions.
Historically, the Dakar rally unfolds in Saudi Arabia and spans from late December through mid-January. Kamaz-Master has claimed victory in this demanding race on 19 occasions, reinforcing its status as a legendary force in cross-country endurance motorsport. The latest notice of withdrawal appeared on the team’s site toward the end of September, signaling a pause in their Dakar program for the period in question.
- In the interim, the team’s leadership saw a notable change as Hans-Peter Moser departed Kamaz, launching a new generation of K5 trucks in collaboration with the Daimler Trucks group.
- Public discussions and updates around the team’s activities can be found on Odnoklassniki, a social platform popular in Russia.
As the motorsport world looks ahead, analysts and fans weigh the implications for the Dakar field and the broader landscape of international competition. The Kamaz-Master team’s decision underscores how political actions and regulatory requirements can intersect with elite sport, shaping participation eras and altering the competitive balance on one of rallying’s most storied stages.