
Dakar 2025: Ferreira finishes eighth in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d
01/18/2025
- MINI JCW Rally 3.0i shows great potential
- Strong daily results for the X-raid Team
- Annett Quandt and Annie Seel crowned best women’s team
The X-raid team reflects positively on the Dakar 2025. With João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro securing eighth place in the MINI JCW Rally 3.0d, an X-raid desert racer landed in the top 10 of the overall standings. Ferreira, a promising young talent, had already demonstrated his capabilities by clinching three titles with X-raid in the 2024 season. He confirmed his potential during his debut Dakar appearance in an Ultimate-class vehicle.
The MINI JCW Rally 3.0i showcased its impressive potential over the past two weeks. Guillaume de Mévius and Mathieu Baumel secured the first-ever Dakar stage win for this new family member. Additionally, together with Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winocq, they claimed three second-place finishes. Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov also delivered commendable performances. Collectively, the MINI desert racers achieved a total of 15 top-10 stage finishes during the Dakar.
The X-raid Fenic also made its debut at Dakar 2025. Over the past months, X-raid worked tirelessly on the Side-by-Side, implementing numerous developments. This hard work paid off with Annett Quandt and Annie Seel securing 11th place in the Challenger category.
100% Dakar from the Start
From day one, Dakar 2025 proved to be a significant challenge for both humans and machines. The first week was particularly grueling, featuring tough terrain, the 48-hour Chrono stage, and the marathon stage. On these days, crews had to manage without their team or mechanics in the evenings. The rest day in Hail was, therefore, a much-needed respite.
The second week also presented its fair share of challenges, especially during the final three days. In the “Empty Quarter,” three consecutive sand and dune stages tested the teams to their limits.
X-raid Line-Up Impresses in Saudi Arabia
For Ferreira and Palmeiro, it was a successful Dakar. It marked Ferreira’s first participation in an Ultimate-class vehicle, having previously competed in Side-by-Sides. The young Portuguese driver maintained a position in the top 10 of the overall standings throughout the rally, except for two days. On stage six, the first after the rest day, he achieved his best result with a second-place finish.
While Lionel Baud has completed several Dakar Rallies, this was only the second edition for his daughter Lucie. The father-daughter duo faced challenges on the first day but steadily climbed the rankings in the following days, finishing 21st overall and 17th in the Ultimate category.
De Mévius and Baumel had higher expectations, but the Dakar 2025 didn’t go as planned. Despite this, they delivered several highlights, including the first stage win for the MINI JCW Rally 3.0i on stage six and a second-place finish three days later. However, various issues repeatedly set them back. After 12 stages, they concluded the Dakar in 22nd place overall and 18th in the Ultimate category.
For Krotov and Zhiltsov, Dakar 2025 could have ended much better. However, a mistake on stage two cost them a strong result. They briefly left the bivouac during the night of the 48-hour Chrono stage, which was against regulations and resulted in a significant time penalty, dashing their hopes for a top finish. Nevertheless, Krotov and Zhiltsov persevered and achieved several strong daily results.
Vladas Jurkevicius and Aisvydas Paliukenas decided to enter the MINI JCW Rally 3.0i shortly before the Dubai International Baja. On stage two, they experienced a dramatic rollover but were fortunate to escape unscathed. X-raid’s mechanics managed to rebuild the vehicle, allowing them to continue. While they didn’t feature prominently in the overall standings, they showcased their skills admirably.
Success in the Challenger Category
The two X-raid Fenics performed well. Annett Quandt and Annie Seel, an experienced duo, secured an impressive 11th place in the Challenger class. Additionally, they were the best women’s team in the entire car category.
For Maria Gameiro, unlike her navigator José Marques, it was her first Dakar. For the Portuguese driver, who has primarily competed in Bajas in recent years, this was a significant challenge and a new experience. Despite some difficulties, she adapted well and overcame numerous obstacles. After over 7,000 kilometers through Saudi Arabia, she finished 26th in the Challenger category.
Quotes from the team
João Ferreira (#240 MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): “I’m super satisfied with our performance. Finishing eighth means we achieved our goal of a top-10 result. The final stage was challenging—not as tough as yesterday but full of dunes and camel grass. Many thanks to X-raid and my sponsors for making this possible. I’m overjoyed. Now it’s time to rest and start preparing for the upcoming season.”
Lionel Baud (#224 MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): “We’re thrilled to have reached the finish after two tough weeks. The first week, with the 48-hour Chrono and marathon stages, was a huge challenge. The dunes in the second week were fantastic but tricky. Together with Lucie, we performed strongly and gave it our all. Thank you to X-raid for their support. We’ve achieved our best Dakar result and couldn’t be happier.”
Guillaume de Mévius (#222 MINI JCW Rally 3.0i): “It wasn’t perfect, but overall, there were many positives to take away. The MINI performed brilliantly, and the team did an excellent job. I’m delighted about that. Now we need to focus on the next race. We aim to come back stronger—in just six weeks at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. We’re ready to attack!”
Annett Quandt (#315 X-raid Fenic): “This was one of the toughest Dakars in Saudi Arabia. The first week was mostly rocks and fesh-fesh, which was extremely hard on the cars. The dunes, which we were really looking forward to, came in the second week. The organizers picked the most challenging ones. Yesterday, we had to cover the final kilometers in the dark and cross ‘walls of sand.’ But we made it. Unfortunately, drivers who stopped the stage due to fog were given better times than us. I think it’s not fair.”
Maria Gameiro (#340 X-raid Fenic): “We’re incredibly happy. I really enjoyed today’s stage, but we drove cautiously to make it to the finish. This Dakar was an enormous challenge, and we truly earned our medals. Every kilometer and every minute over the past two weeks will stay with us forever. I hope this is the first of many Dakars for me.”
Vladas Jurkevicius (#241 MINI JCW Rally 3.0i): “Our special thanks go to the X-raid team for their incredible effort in bringing our car back to life after the crash on day two. We’re grateful to have reached the finish and have learned so much on this journey.”
Dakar 2025 overall stanings
1. Y. Al-Rajhi / T. Gottschalk – Toyota – 52h 52m 15s
2. H. Lategan / B. Cummings – Toyota – 52h 56m 12s
3. M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist – Ford – 53h 12m 36s
4. N. Al-Attiyah / E. Boulanger – Dacia – 53h 15m 13s
5. M. Guthrie / K. Walch – Ford – 53h 54m 25s
…
8. J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 55h 08m 12s
…
22. L. Baud / L. Baud – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d – 59h 46m 44s
23. G. de Mévius / M. Baumel – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i – 60h 55m 58s
…
63. A. Quandt / A. Seel – X-raid Fenic – 73h 52m 55s
…
109. M. Gameiro / J. Marques – X-raid Fenic – 123h 47m 18s
…
121. D. Krotov / K. Zhiltsov – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i – 141h 43m 22s
…
134. V. Jurkevicius / A. Paliukenas – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i – 181h 19m 54s
Overall standings Challenger category
1. N. Cavigliasso / V. Pertegarini – Taurus – 57h 50m 21s
2. G. Guerreiro / C. Sachs – Taurus – 59h 01m 59s
3. P. Navarro / L. Sisterna Herrera – Taurus – 59h 20m 34s
4. A. Al-Kuwari / N. Al-Kuwari – Taurus – 61h 32m 03s
5. A. Kus / D. Tsyro – Taurus – 64h 57m 02s
…
11. A. Quandt / A. Seel – X-raid Fenic – 73h 52m 55s
…
26. M. Gameiro / J. Marques – X-raid Fenic – 123h 47m 18s