Updated 12:49 PM,Jan 23,2024
A historic achievement has been accomplished: Audi's low-emission RS Q e-tron prototype, equipped with an electric motor, high-voltage battery, and power converter, secured its first victory in the world's toughest desert rally. Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz claimed Audi's first win at Dakar Rally, covering 7,900 kilometers with a lead of one hour and 20 minutes. The team of Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist also crossed the finish line.
Sainz and Cruz clinched victory after leading from stage six onwards, marking their fourth overall triumph. They previously won in 2010, 2018, and 2020 under a different brand, including their second victory with a marque belonging to the Volkswagen Group. Sainz, a two-time world rally champion, and his experienced co-driver only confirmed the win shortly before the finish line, after enduring strong pressure from Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin of the BRX team, whose car suffered mechanical issues on the penultimate day. Rolf Michell, Head of Audi Sport, said: "The team delivered an outstanding performance. Their collaboration was key to this major accomplishment. I deeply thank our fantastic team for their immense efforts that made this historic milestone for Audi at Dakar possible."
The 2024 Dakar Rally featured daily stages often exceeding 400 kilometers, along with two marathon stages where vehicles received limited or no service, plus a 4,600-kilometer timed section, resulting in a total race distance of 7,883 kilometers. Competitors faced extreme challenges navigating rough terrain filled with gravel and sand dunes across the Arabian Peninsula’s Rub' al Khali region, making driving exceptionally difficult. Carlos Sainz, aged 61 and with a professional career spanning four decades in rally racing, led alongside Lucas Cruz for eight days across the twelve stages.
Audi's second team also delivered a strong performance. Swedish drivers Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist won the preliminary race and climbed to second place behind Sainz and Cruz after six stages. However, a rear axle failure during stage seven caused them to fall back in the standings. Stéphane Peterhansel, holder of the record with 14 Dakar wins, finished sixth just before mid-race after securing 50 stage victories with an Audi and 83 overall wins. A hydraulic system failure in his car dropped him to 22nd place in stage six, alongside his French teammate Édouard Boulanger.
Both teams operated as a unified force within Audi Sport, implementing a flawless strategy by Rolf Michell, Head of Audi Motorsport, and Sven Kwant, Team Manager of 'Q Motorsport,' in the 46th edition of Dakar. They demonstrated consistent strength throughout all stages—tactically preventing the route from being opened before the marathon stage and providing crucial support to the leading Sainz-Cruz team. The three teams collaborated throughout the grueling, physically demanding race, with Ekström and Bergkvist finishing within the top fifty.
Audi Sport spent three years developing the highly efficient RS Q e-tron to ensure race success. Under the technical leadership of Dr. Leonardo Pascale, Audi achieved this historic milestone through an innovative drivetrain. Building on the legendary quattro four-wheel-drive system, which revolutionized rallying in the 1980s and contributed to numerous titles, Audi introduced another breakthrough at Le Mans. The TFSI engine, known for its efficiency, combined with the e-tron quattro electric all-wheel-drive system and advanced technologies such as LED matrix headlights and Audi laser lighting exemplify Audi's commitment to innovation, embodied in the slogan "Vorsprung durch Technik" (Progress through Technology). Audi became the first automaker to enter a fully electric race car in Formula E and later overcame significant challenges in Dakar, cementing its legacy as the first automotive brand to compete with a full electric drivetrain.
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