<\/a>THE LADIES DAKAR CREW<\/strong><\/p>\nAt the wheel is Rachele Somaschini<\/strong>, four-time Italian Women\u2019s Rally Champion (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024) and Overall Champion of the 2024 Tour European Rally. FIA Women in Motorsport Ambassador, she founded the #CorrerePerUnRespiro initiative in 2016 to support cystic fibrosis research, raising over \u20ac520,000 for the Italian Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation. In 2023, the project and her personal experience with the disease became a charity autobiography, \u201cCorrere Per Un Respiro\u201d, awarded the prestigious Geremia “CONI” Prize for passion and sports ethics. Once again, her starring role in the demanding Dakar Classic makes Rachele Somaschini a true symbol of resilience and determination for all women affected by this severe genetic disease.<\/p>\nJoining the crew as co-driver and onboard mechanic is Serena Rodella<\/strong>. With outstanding determination, Rodella \u2013 who has competed for years in the Italian Off-Road Speed Championship and other European competitions \u2013 will take on the Dakar Classic for the first time, bringing her technical expertise into one of the most extreme challenges in motorsport.<\/p>\nAlongside them in the key role of navigator is Monica Buonamano<\/strong>, who brings more than 25 years of experience in Cross Country and Rally competitions. A veteran of previous Dakar Classic editions, in which she competed with 4×4 vehicles and trucks and distinguished herself in several special stages, her navigation and orientation expertise will be essential to guide the crew through the desert.<\/p>\n\u201cWe are proud to support the Ladies Dakar team \u2014 a remarkable example of expertise, determination and passion that pushes the boundaries of motorsport. It is a real privilege for us to stand beside them with our lubricants,\u201d<\/em> says Davide Busnelli, Sales Manager Automotive Italy at Castrol<\/strong>. \u201cThe Dakar is the ideal testing ground for our products: the data collected during the competition will be crucial in developing future Castrol formulations. A special thanks goes to Galardo Srl for its decisive role in this partnership and for its long-standing collaboration in the Commercial Vehicle Oil segment.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWe are truly honoured to partner with Castrol as the official partner of the Ladies Dakar team,\u201d<\/em> adds Antonio Galardo, CEO of Galardo Srl.<\/strong> \u201cThis agreement marks an important milestone in our growth path and renews our commitment to pursuing quality, innovation and progress \u2014 values we share with a top-tier brand like Castrol. More than a sponsorship, this collaboration stands as tangible recognition of women\u2019s talent and determination in motorsport, a field that has always rewarded courage, passion and expertise at the highest level.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n-End-<\/p>\n
Notes to editors:<\/strong> *Compared with conventional 15W-40 in laboratory engine tests **EPR represents an average where the product exceeds API and ACEA industry limits and is based on tests carried out on 81% of Castrol VECTON by volume, using 12-month sales data as of March 2017.<\/p>\n\n
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4th December 2025<\/p>\n
Anicecommunication Press Office and Media Relations Castrol Italy ><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rachele Somaschini, Serena Rodella and Monica Buonamano will tackle the 2026 Dakar Classic in Saudi Arabia aboard a 4×4 truck lubricated with Castrol VECTON<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17435,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[280,266,265],"tags":[1591,1052,1593],"class_list":["post-17434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-castrol","category-press-room-press-releases-en","category-anicecommunication-blog-en","tag-castrol-sponsor-ladies-dakar-team","tag-castrol-vecton","tag-team-ladies-dakar-castrol"],"yoast_head":"\n
Castrol Sponsor Ladies Dakar Team 2026<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n