Audi finished the 2023 Dakar Rally season with outstanding results. The electric-powered Audi RS Q e-tron stood on the podium 14 times over the 15-day event, including during the prologue stage. Audi team drivers led the rally for three days but, after several tire failures and subsequent accidents, the teams of Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz and Stéphane Peterhansel/Édouard Boulanger had to retire, while Matthias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist’s team fell far behind, finishing the season in 14th place.
Oliver Hoffman, a board member of Audi AG and Chief Operating Officer of Technology Development, visited Saudi Arabia on the rally’s final weekend to congratulate the Audi team’s performance. He commented, “The innovative Audi RS Q e-tron delivered excellent driving performance from start to finish. Unfortunately, we faced bad luck in the desert with multiple tire failures, yet despite these challenges, the Audi team concluded the rally with resilience. Making it to the podium was our goal, and that goal remains. We will analyze all aspects and return for the 2024 rally.”
Rolf Michel, head of Audi Motorsports, reflected, “This year’s Dakar Rally encompassed both our highest and lowest moments. The numerous top finishes demonstrated that the innovative RS Q e-tron is among the vehicles with the lowest carbon emissions as well as one of the fastest. However, encountering obstacles on the brutal driving course led to damage to the vehicle’s body and tires, resulting in some disappointment.”
The dedication and effort of the Audi Sport team stationed at the campsite and the stage assistance team stood out during this rally. Vehicle Operations Manager Uwe Brühling praised his team, saying, “Everyone was commited throughout the 15 days. This includes our assistant team members Michael Baumann, Philipp Beyer, and Audi Sport engineer Sebastian Lindner. The close collaboration of Q Motorsport and Audi staff was invaluable; without them, achieving excellent segment results and completing the race would have been impossible.”
In what is regarded as the world’s toughest desert race, the Dakar Rally, Matthias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist took the lead after the prologue stage, and Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz’s team led for the following two days. During the first four desert stages, the three teams experienced a total of 14 tire failures, losing valuable time. Subsequently, Carlos Sainz suffered suspension damage on Stage 3 and had an accident on Stage 6.
Stage 7 saw unseen gravel damage Matthias Ekström’s vehicle suspension due to desert dust. Stéphane Peterhansel, who has won the Dakar Rally 14 times, had already retired from the rally at this point. Peterhansel’s co-driver Édouard Boulanger was hospitalized due to back pain after a significant jump over sand dunes and was later diagnosed with a spinal injury, receiving treatment from specialists.
Stéphane Peterhansel, from France, stated, “We made it to the top 3 in three stages, showcasing our potential. However, I have no recollection of the unfortunate accident that took all hope away from us.” The day before their retirement, Peterhansel’s team was in a hopeful overall 2nd place. Additionally, Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz’s team was close behind in 4th place. Carlos Sainz concluded, “This year wasn’t favorable for us. The entire team was well-prepared, but we couldn’t complete due to two accidents. Unfortunately, this is often the case in motorsports.” The Spain-based team recorded a total of 5 top 3 finishes before their retirement.
All eyes were on the Matthias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist team. The Swedish duo participated in the Dakar Rally for only the third time and achieved the best performance among the Audi teams by completing more than 8,900km, including over 4,200km of special stages, proving their presence once again in this challenging competition. Two-time DTM champion and World Rallycross champion Ekström stated, “It was a tough rally. However, we never gave up, even when we lagged significantly behind.” He also mentioned, “If I wasn’t confident in the route instructions for that day, I slowed down; otherwise, I competed with the leaders.”
With a successful strategy, from the 9th stage onwards, Ekström’s team placed within the top 4 six times consecutively. They recorded 3rd and 2nd place in the grueling sand dune stages known as MT Quota on January 12 and 13, during the marathon stage without camping. Ultimately, the Ekström team achieved a total of 6 top 3 finishes in the stage rankings for the 2023 Dakar Rally. However, due to repairs on their vehicle delaying them by 7 hours and supporting Audi teammate Sainz’s vehicle repairs, their final outcome was 14th place.
Sven Quindt, head of Q Motorsport, reflected on the past 30 years as a former driver and team owner, stating, “In a sense, this year’s Dakar has returned to its roots.” He added, “Limitless speed, frustrations even the top drivers can’t escape, significant unpredictability in rankings, and the length and harsh terrain of the stages all evoke memories of the past. I am pleased to have participated in this competition as Audi and as a team and to have completed the rally; I pay my respects to their achievements.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr