The authentic raid with Pandas through the deserts of Morocco has come to an end, leaving a trail of mud, breathtaking landscapes and extreme experiences in Moroccan lands.
The Canary team, formed by Luis Ferrer and Pedro Padrón, had to adapt their strategy on the fly and were not defeated by the circumstances, experiencing this adventure with a mixture of emotion, respect and pride. This year's journey was a test of endurance, from the first camp in Naima to the dunes of Merzouga, not only for the vehicles, but for the will of all the participants.
The Panda Raid 2025 will go down in history as one of the most demanding, unexpected and memorable of the 17 editions held to date. What promised to be another odyssey on sand and sun was transformed into a real meteorological challenge for the more than 300 participating teams. An unprecedented scenario that led the organization to cancel the first two special stages, thus reducing the race to only four competitive days with constant rain, hail and flooded tracks.
Luis Ferrer and Pedro Padrón, usually more comfortable on sandy terrain, the mud and impassable tracks posed an unprecedented technical and physical challenge. Faced with mud and uncertainty, they responded with strategy, teamwork and an exemplary attitude. It was in the third stage, between Gourrama and Merzouga, when the Panda Raid reached its halfway point with a day finally dominated by good weather and with the first official timed trial of the edition as the main course. This stage, designed to measure regularity, forced the driver-co-driver pairings to a maximum level of coordination, combining precise navigation and pace control.
Luis Ferrer and Pedro Padrón shone at the beginning of this stage, reaching the provisional third position among 365 participating cars. It was a promising start that reflected the preparation and teamwork of the team. However, technology played against them: the lack of signal on both mobile phones and tablets prevented them from receiving key data to maintain the required regularity. The result was a progressive loss of positions that finally led them to 71st place.
Beyond the result, their experience is a testament to how challenges are overcome with vision and commitment. Because when the road gets complicated, it is when it is most noticeable who is driving with purpose. Although far from the podium, this classification reflects a very high level of commitment and endurance.
"We are more used to sand than mud. With only four stages, we had no room for improvement, but we are delighted to have completed another Panda Raid and we are left with the experience and having been able to help many colleagues who had problems continuing and with the desire to try again," the team shares with us.
The young people of Lanzarote attracted by the spirit of adventure, the sporting and human values, and the shared challenge and the will to arrive helping those who need it most in Morocco, together with the challenge of arriving with the Fiat Panda 4X4, which with the improvements has behaved with resistance, humanity and passion for the road and thus be able to fulfill the dream of representing our archipelago in a different and supportive way.
Luis Ferrer and Pedro Padrón thank the collaboration for the Panda Raid of; Turismo Lanzarote, Centro de Arte y Cultura y Turismo del Cabildo de Lanzarote, Ayt Teguise (Conj. Turismo), Construcciones Lafugran, Repuestos ART, Nazaret Hotels, Rotulaciones Pintaderas, Agencia de seguros Toledo Mar, Gestión Electrónica Motor , Rincón Granaino, Mesón La Tierra, Electricidad JMK and Asador de Macher.
