Red Bull Co‑owner Mark Mateschitz Enters 2026 Dakar Rally Under Alias

Mark Mateschitz, the 49 % Red Bull shareholder, will line up for the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia under the pseudonym “Mark Mustermann.” His partner, jewellery heir Victoria Swarovski, will race as “Vic Flip.” The move mirrors Max Verstappen’s recent secret‑identity run at the Nürburgring and adds star power to the desert marathon.

Why it matters:

• Red Bull’s involvement extends beyond F1, reinforcing its image as a multi‑discipline motorsport brand.
• High‑profile participants using aliases protect privacy while generating extra media buzz.
• The presence of wealthy, celebrity entrants raises the rally’s global profile and attracts new sponsors.

The details:

• Event window: Jan 3 – 17, 2026, covering roughly 8,000 km across Saudi Arabia’s desert terrain.
• Alias choice: Mateschitz will compete as “Mark Mustermann,” a generic German placeholder often used in examples.
• Partner’s entry: Victoria Swarovski will run under the name “Vic Flip,” echoing her family’s brand while staying incognito.
• Previous precedent: Max Verstappen tested a Ferrari 296 GT3 on the Nordschleife in May, racing as “Franz Hermann,” then won two official Nürburgring Langstrecken‑Serie events.
• Other marquee names: Multiple‑time Dakar champion Carlos Sainz Sr. and rally legend Sébastien Loeb have confirmed entries, promising a star‑studded start list.
• Red Bull’s angle: The company can showcase its leadership in extreme‑sport endurance without overt branding, leveraging the participants’ fame.
• Motivation for anonymity: Wealthy entrants often prefer discretion to avoid media pressure and to test performance without fanfare.
• Logistics: The rally’s 2026 route will feature sand dunes, rocky tracks, and night stages, demanding top‑tier fitness and navigation skills.

What's next:

• Mateschitz and Swarovski will begin pre‑rally training in the coming months, with the first reconnaissance stage slated for late 2025.
• Their performance could set a precedent for more Red Bull executives or high‑net‑worth investors to join future Dakar editions, further blurring the line between business leadership and elite motorsport competition.