A Rewarding End to the Season for Omani Champion Hamed Wahaibi

Dubai : Omani champion Hamed Wahaibi brought his 2026 FIA World Baja Cup campaign to a close by finishing third in the overall standings, as well as first in the Masters category for drivers aged over 50 and second in the Challenger category, after competing in the Qatar International Baja and the Dubai International Baja at the wheel of a Can-Am Maverick R.

These results came despite Hamed Wahaibi suffering a broken leg that prevented him from contesting the full season. He missed two rounds in Europe on which he had been counting to collect a big haul of points and post strong results in his bid to win the World Cup, leaving him needing to make up the lost ground by competing in the Qatar International Baja and the Dubai International Baja.

Wahaibi had been relying on the European rounds because of the nature of their courses, which are built on technique and driving skill, with long, winding stages. Driving a Challenger car on sandy desert courses, by contrast, calls for a different style and approach, and it is terrain on which Wahaibi lacks experience compared with rivals who know it far better.

That is why Hamed Wahaibi’s aim in taking part in Baja Qatar and Baja Dubai was to gain more experience on this type of terrain, even though he was not one hundred per cent physically fit and was still feeling the effects of his injury. He came away from the two rounds with considerable experience on sand, having been in with a chance of winning the World Cup in the Challenger category, which he finished in second place.

Speaking after the end of the season, Hamed Wahaibi said: “I’m very happy with these results. It wasn’t an easy season; it was a tough one. I learned a lot from it and made a number of mistakes along the way. The speed was always there, but sand courses sometimes demand the experience to know when to ease off and not push to the absolute limit.”

He continued: “I gained a great deal from competing in Qatar and Dubai and picked up a lot of experience on sand. I must also take this opportunity to thank everyone who was part of this achievement with me.”