Syndiely Wade

Syndiely Wade is a Senegalese-French rally raid specialist who’s been carving her path through some of motorsport’s most brutal terrain for over two decades—from the legendary Dakar Rally to the all-women Rebelle Rally in the American Southwest.

EARLY YEARS

Born into a politically prominent Senegalese family, Syndiely is the daughter of former Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and his French-born wife, Viviane Vert. Growing up between Senegal and France gave her a unique bicultural perspective, but she was never one for the spotlight despite her high-profile lineage. She worked as a Special Assistant to the President early in her career, but the call of motorsport proved stronger than the pull of politics.

According to Nissan, the idea of tackling the Paris-Dakar was planted by none other than French rock legend and motor enthusiast Johnny Hallyday, who competed in 2002 and crossed paths with Wade. That chance meeting sparked what would become a decades-long love affair with rally raid racing.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Wade’s interests outside motorsport is limited, but her professional work as a Special Assistant to the President of Senegal suggests a woman comfortable navigating complex environments—a skill that clearly translates well to off-road navigation.

EARLY SUCCESS

Wade made her Paris-Dakar debut in 2003, finishing a respectable 58th overall—a remarkable achievement for a rookie in one of motorsport’s most punishing events. She returned in 2004 driving a Nissan Terrano but didn’t finish that year, an all-too-common fate in a race that routinely claims more than half its field. Still, she came back for more, competing again in 2005 and 2007, proving the kind of resilience that defines rally raid racers.

Her persistence paid off. By 2011, she’d shifted to the all-women Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles in Morocco, where she won the 4×4 category alongside French Olympic skier Carole Montillet, driving a Nissan Springbok. Two years later, in 2013, Wade and Vietnamese teammate Florence Pham won the overall rally—the 23rd edition of the event—cementing her reputation as one of rally’s most consistent female competitors.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2003: Finished 58th overall in her debut at the Paris-Dakar Rally, driving a Nissan.
• 2004: Competed in Paris-Dakar driving a Nissan Terrano (DNF).
• 2005: Competed in Telefónica Dakar Rally.
• 2007: Competed in Euromilhões Lisboa-Dakar Rally.
• 2011: Won the 4×4 category at Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles with Carole Montillet in a Nissan Springbok.
• 2013: Won the overall Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles (23rd edition) with Florence Pham.
• 2024: Navigated for driver Rebecca Donaghe at the Rebelle Rally in a BMW X3 M50, traversing over 1,500 miles of California and Nevada terrain and earning a podium finish.
• 2024: Finished second at Rally Jameel in Saudi Arabia as co-driver for Dania Akeel, winning the opening stage in Umluj.
• 2026: Competing as navigator in the Dakar Rally Classic category in a Renault Kerax truck with Giuseppe Francesco Simonato and Alexander Sorbelli.

INSPIRATIONS

Wade has said little publicly about her inspirations, but her entry into rally raid was reportedly encouraged by Johnny Hallyday, the French rock icon who competed in the 2002 Paris-Dakar. Her decision to keep racing despite early setbacks suggests she draws motivation from the challenge itself rather than external validation—fitting for someone who once told an interviewer, “Je n’aime pas les spotlights” (I don’t like the spotlight).

REPUTATION

Wade describes herself as possessing “qualities of calmness, consistency, and resilience,” and her racing record backs that up. As a navigator, she’s known for her steady hand and unflappable demeanor—critical traits when you’re reading pace notes at speed through dunes, mountains, and desert washes. Her ability to compete at the highest levels across multiple rally formats—from the chaos of Dakar to the precision navigation of the Rebelle Rally—speaks to both her versatility and her commitment to the sport.

Despite her famous last name, she’s carved out her own identity in motorsport, earning respect not for who her father is, but for what she’s accomplished behind the wheel and in the co-driver’s seat. She’s part of a small but growing cohort of women proving that rally raid isn’t just a men’s game—it’s a test of mental toughness, technical skill, and sheer grit, and Wade has all three in spades.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Wade continues to compete in 2026, currently navigating for Giuseppe Francesco Simonato and Alexander Sorbelli in the Dakar Rally Classic truck category, piloting a Renault Kerax. Her participation in the grueling Classic division—reserved for vintage vehicles tackling the same brutal stages as the modern cars—shows she’s not slowing down. If anything, she’s leaning into the chaos, choosing one of the most physically demanding formats in rally raid racing.

REFERENCES

BMW of North America is Back for the Rebelle Rally with the All-New BMW X3 M50
Meet the Women Striving for Success at the 2026 Dakar Rally
Rally Jameel Concludes on International Women’s Day
Syndiely Wade Photos – Getty Images
Cross-Country Rallying – Speedqueens
Abdoulaye Wade – Wikipedia
BMW X3 M50 at the Rebelle Rally 2024
Rally Jameel Concludes its Second Stage in Umluj
Wade Syndiely – eWRC-results.com
#205 – Team BMW – Rebelle Rally
Dania Akeel leads Rally Jameel – Arab News
Syndiely Wade : « Je n’aime pas les spotlights »
Rallying round – Africa Confidential
Rallye Aicha des Gazelles – Wikipedia
Rallye des Gazelles: Syndiely Wade won the 23th edition!