Jeddah, Saudi Arabia : The Saudi Next Gen program, overseen by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, continues to play a key role in developing national motorsport talent through a structured and high-performance training pathway designed to prepare young Saudi drivers for regional and international competition.
Launched last year, the program is built around a comprehensive development framework that combines theoretical instruction with hands-on training under the supervision of certified coaches and motorsport experts. The program follows a multi-stage process, beginning with selection and assessment phases before progressing through classroom-based learning, practical training, and extensive on-track evaluations. Participants also undergo full field tests using Yamaha side-by-side vehicles, including participation in the Dakar Rally Prologue and the completion of two desert rally-style stages, ensuring readiness in line with professional motorsport standards.
Drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Al-Shaqawi represent the first graduates of the program and its initial competitive outcome. Both are set to compete in the Dakar Rally 2026 after successfully completing all required assessments and demonstrating strong performance throughout the program. Their qualification marks a significant milestone in the initiative’s objective to prepare Saudi drivers capable of competing at the highest levels of international motorsport.
Bakashab highlighted the impact of the Saudi Next Gen program on his development, describing it as “a very good start and base and learning platform for us Saudis to hope for the best.” Reflecting on the experience, he explained that the most important thing he learned was patience, noting that the program exposed drivers to challenging, rocky sections where pushing too hard could damage the car, while going too slow could cost valuable performance. Bakhashab added that having a program like Saudi Next Gen for Saudi youth represents “a very good opportunity and a very good chance to put Saudi drivers on the rally scene”, emphasizing how the initiative fueled his ambition to race in Dakar, an opportunity he “could not miss.”
Al-Shaqawi, another Saudi Next Gen graduate, also expressed his pride in competing in the 2026 Dakar Rally under the Kingdom’s flag, stressing that the initiative provided a genuine platform that enabled him to realize his dream of taking part in the iconic event. He said he is highly enthusiastic about the experience and expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in launching the program, noting that it has given him the opportunity to represent Saudi Arabia in one of the world’s premier motorsport challenges.
The Saudi Next Gen program aims to identify and develop Saudi talent by providing a professional environment that enhances technical skills, physical readiness, and competitive discipline. The initiative also seeks to build a sustainable pipeline of Saudi drivers equipped to represent the Kingdom in global championships, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s presence and standing as the home of global motorsport.
The program further reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in its youth and positioning them as a central pillar in the development of Saudi motorsport. It highlights the ongoing efforts of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and Saudi Motorsport Company, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, to empower national talent and support professional pathways aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to establish a thriving and sustainable sports sector.
