Mastering expertise
With the RS Q e-tron, Audi has realized an revolutionary idea in a really brief time for the hardest motorsport self-discipline. Carlos Sainz, as a two-time World Rally Champion and three-time Dakar winner at all times a driver and technical perfectionist, praises his employer: “We told Audi: Don’t underestimate the Dakar. And they didn’t underestimate it. They trusted the direction in which we drivers wanted to develop the project. The success so far proves us right. It was the right approach by both parties.” Audi Sport set its first milestones on this path: 4 stage victories at the Dakar Rally in January, total victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in March, and the second development stage of the desert prototype in September. “The new car is a big step forward in terms of reliability,” says Carlos Sainz. “But there are always surprises in our sport, including technical ones.” So repairs stay one thing that’s generally unavoidable in the robust sport of off-road rallying – beginning with punctures and persevering with with accident harm and potential defects. “When it comes to repairs, I get good support from Stéphane,” says Edouard Boulanger. “He comes from motorcycle racing and knows how to use tools. As an engineer, I get a basic overview, but Stéphane helps me perfectly.” But it’s not simply the two Frenchmen who know the right way to deal with the duties. An in-depth technical coaching course at Audi Sport for all six drivers and co-drivers concludes the preparations in November.
New challenges
Among the modifications to the Dakar Rally for 2023 is a brand new mode on the levels: The earlier neutralization zones with 15 to 20-minute breaks will now be eradicated. “Without these intermediate times on the road, we no longer know exactly where we stand compared to the competition,” emphasizes Mattias Ekström. For Carlos Sainz it’s déjà vu: “It’s like a return to the old days, because this used to be normal. Basically, we can tell the pace of our direct opponents, who are three minutes ahead or behind us, by whether or not one car catches up with the other.” Another problem: The proportion of dune passages will improve considerably in 2023. “For me, driving in the dunes is easier,” says Edouard Boulanger. “I don’t have to give my driver as many directional indications. Navigation should also be easier. But on the other hand, the physical strain increases significantly because the car keeps bouncing in and out a lot.” His driver can also be trying ahead to the sand mountains: “I like returning to the Empty Quarter, and for four days. It will be a very authentic Dakar.” Carlos Sainz highlights one other facet. “The event has changed significantly over the past three years,” observes the Spaniard. “Now the hidden waypoints are eliminated and we follow the compass direction more closely. The Empty Quarter will be difficult, but Lucas and I are prepared.” Cruz advises, “In the dunes, however, the reference lines of other competitors are also missing. And it’s not exactly easy to drive a straight line through chains of dunes as required by a given compass direction.” No matter how robust the levels get, everybody agrees on one factor. “The temperatures are easy to handle with such a powerful air conditioning system as in the Audi RS Q e-tron,” says Stéphane Peterhansel, talking on behalf of his colleagues.
Well set-up in the direction of the desert
At the Morocco Rally, the driver groups put the ending touches to the environment friendly RS Q e-tron with its electrical drive and vitality converter. “The pedal box is now located more favorably, and the steering wheel is also now perfectly positioned,” says Stéphane Peterhansel. Edouard Boulanger can also be happy: “The software logics are better, frequently used functions easier and quicker to reach.” Fellow co-driver Lucas Cruz additionally good points so much from his new office: “The changed seating position gives us a better overview and we can read the instruments more easily.” Mattias Ekström, in flip, is impressed by his teammates’ off-road know-how: “Carlos has worked out a first-class basic setup for the chassis. Since Stéphane implemented the final fine-tuning, the car gives me even more confidence. Everything was already perfect when cornering, and now the rear doesn’t lift off so much in jumps either.”
Personal preparation and expectations
“This year we are well prepared,” admits Stéphane Peterhansel. “We should drive consistently and not start too slowly, because otherwise you’ll be lagging behind. At the same time, I know what can happen in the Dakar. We have a competitive car, but also tough competition.” Carlos Sainz agrees: “You have to respect every single day. I expect a tough Dakar with longer stages, more hours in the cockpit and lots of variety.” Edouard Boulanger provides, “We remain cautious about the length of the stages. We have a limited energy supply with our innovative concept, and we have to pace ourselves.” Lucas Cruz feels reminded of the occasions when the rally went by way of South America. “We do extra fitness exercises because of the hardness of the stages in the Empty Quarter,” says the Spaniard. Emil Bergkvist begins the rally full of expectations, “It’s amazing to be part of this team. If you want something, they get it done for you. That gives us a good feeling.” His driver Mattias Ekström is placing an emphasis on private preparation: “I can’t drink so much during the day, but I mustn’t lose weight. That’s why I’m taking a scale with me this time to check my fluid balance. In the time leading up to the start of the rally, the rule is: eat sensibly, sleep, drink enough and do a healthy amount of sport. And once the rally starts, we try to match our pace with that of Stéphane. There are few motorsport disciplines where luck plays an even bigger role. We did everything we could. Audi fulfilled all our wishes and there’s nothing left on Santa’s list.”
