Saudi Rally Driver Sets Her Sights on the Fast Lane

In a sport defined by endurance, precision, and mental resilience, Mashael Al-Saad is steadily carving out her place on Saudi Arabia’s rallying map. What began as a chance encounter with motorsport has evolved into a promising competitive career — one that is now firmly pointed toward international horizons.

With podium finishes on home soil and ambitions that stretch beyond the Kingdom’s borders, Al-Saad represents a new generation of Saudi athletes emerging from a rapidly evolving motorsports landscape.

From Curiosity to Competition

Al-Saad’s introduction to rally driving did not come behind the wheel, but behind a microphone. In 2023, she was invited to host the second edition of Rally Jameel, the region’s first women-only navigational rally. Watching competitors battle the terrain with determination and discipline sparked something unexpected.

What she witnessed that year — focus under pressure, teamwork, and the mental strength required to navigate Saudi Arabia’s deserts — planted the idea that she, too, could compete.

That idea soon turned into opportunity. A recommendation from Saudi rally driver Abdullah Bakhashab opened the door to her first professional experience, leading to a partnership with Lexus and her competitive debut at the fourth Rally Jameel in 2024.

A Strong Start on the Rally Stage

Al-Saad’s transition from newcomer to contender was swift. Competing as part of the Lexus team, she secured first place in her category and finished sixth overall among more than 40 participants — an impressive result for a first professional outing.

Rally Jameel would remain a defining chapter in her journey. The demanding desert stages tested her physical endurance, navigation skills, and emotional control, pushing her well beyond familiar limits. She returned in subsequent editions with growing confidence, later achieving second place overall and first in her category.

Beyond Rally Jameel, Al-Saad expanded her experience across circuits and events in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa region, steadily building a competitive résumé.

Support in a Traditionally Male-Dominated Sport

Despite rallying’s reputation as a male-dominated discipline, Al-Saad says she never felt her path was defined by barriers. Instead, she points to the strong ecosystem of support surrounding her journey.

From Saudi Arabia’s leadership and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation to corporate backing from Lexus, institutional support played a key role. On a more personal level, her family — especially her mother — laid the foundation for confidence and determination long before she entered competitive racing.

This collective encouragement, she believes, reflects the broader changes underway in Saudi sports.

Milestones That Shaped Her Growth

Among her domestic achievements, Al-Saad highlights her Time Attack victory in Jeddah as one of the most meaningful moments of her career. One of her earliest races, the event saw her progress steadily before finishing first in the Women’s Cup — a result that reinforced her belief in her own capabilities.

Another turning point came in 2024 during the Racing Hill Climb in Taif. Competing on mountainous terrain for the first time, Al-Saad faced unfamiliar technical challenges that tested her adaptability and sharpened her driving instincts.

Each milestone, she says, accelerated her development — not only as a driver, but as a competitor capable of learning under pressure.

Growth On and Off the Track

Competing alongside seasoned champions has been both humbling and motivating. Over time, Al-Saad has developed a deeper appreciation for the technical side of motorsport, dedicating increasing attention to vehicle dynamics and kinematics to better synchronize her driving style with the car.

Off the track, rallying has reshaped her mindset. Navigating unpredictable terrain and split-second decisions has strengthened her ability to face uncertainty with calm and focus — qualities she believes extend far beyond racing.

A Role Model, By Example

As one of the visible faces of Saudi women in motorsport, Al-Saad is often seen as a role model — a label she accepts with humility. She says she would be honored to inspire even one woman to take the first step, but believes role models exist at every level of the industry.

For her, progress comes from observing the strengths of others and applying those lessons to one’s own journey — a philosophy she views as universally relevant, not just in sport.

Managing Pressure Where Every Second Counts

In rallying, pressure and risk are constant companions. Al-Saad relies on preparation, planning, and composure to navigate intense stages. Anticipating challenges helps reduce uncertainty, while calm decision-making becomes critical when conditions shift without warning.

In a discipline where margins are measured in seconds, clarity and decisiveness often determine the outcome.

Eyes on the International Stage

Looking ahead, Al-Saad’s ambitions are firmly set on international competition. She aims to compete in the Middle East Rally Championship and hopes one day to take the start line at the Dakar Rally, held on Saudi soil.

She is also eager to explore other racing formats, viewing the learning process itself as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

A Message to the Next Generation

To young Saudi women who dream of entering motorsport but hesitate out of fear of failure, Al-Saad offers simple advice: start.

Progress, she believes, begins with the first step — learning through experience and allowing confidence to grow with time.

In a rapidly transforming motorsports scene, her journey reflects what is increasingly possible in Saudi Arabia — on the road, on the rally stage, and beyond it.

Web Search Results (References)

• Arab News – Saudi rally driver sets her sights on the fast lane
  Original news report covering Mashael Al-Saad’s rally career, achievements, and ambitions.