{"id":793722,"date":"2023-12-27T13:55:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T21:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportscardigest.com\/?p=515041"},"modified":"2024-02-11T19:11:44","modified_gmt":"2024-02-11T19:11:44","slug":"dakar-rally-2024-team-audi-sport-prepares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/dakar-rally-2024-team-audi-sport-prepares\/","title":{"rendered":"Dakar Rally 2024: Team Audi Sport prepares"},"content":{"rendered":"

Team Audi Sport has optimized the pioneering rally car prototype that has an electric drivetrain, a high-voltage battery and an energy converter, in meticulous detail for the toughest rally of the year. The three driver crews of Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m\/Emil Bergkvist, St\u00e9phane Peterhansel\/Edouard Boulanger, and Carlos Sainz\/Lucas Cruz are facing the most difficult task of the year with optimism but also respect.<\/p>\n

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Edouard Boulanger, St\u00e9phane Peterhansel, Emil Bergkvist, Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m, Lucas Cruz, Carlos Sainz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Audi was the first manufacturer to develop a T1U model for the Dakar Rally. The aim: for an electrically powered prototype is to prove that a low-emission vehicle can master one of the toughest motorsport events and be competitive at the same time. \u201cThe Audi RS Q e-tron rally car has already caused quite a stir in its first two Dakar appearances,\u201d says Rolf Michl, Head of Audi Motorsport. \u201cAudi was once again a technological pioneer in its outstanding motorsport history. We have initiated a paradigm shift. The combination of an electric drivetrain and a reFuel-powered energy converter is unique and very efficient. We know what we have already achieved. At the same time, we are looking forward to the next Dakar Rally with respect. It represents a major challenge.\u201d As was the case the past two years, Audi is relying on the Q Motorsport team of experienced team principal Sven Quandt.<\/p>\n

Dakar Rally with a total distance of approx. 7,900 kilometers<\/h2>\n

The drivers, co-drivers, and management of Team Audi Sport agree: A particularly challenging edition of the Dakar Rally lies ahead of all participants. Twelve special stages during 14 days in Saudi Arabia cover 4,727 kilometers. Including all of the liaison stages, the route results in a total distance of 7,891 kilometers. The teams often have to complete more than 400 kilometers a day on the special stages. \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s important not to lose your stamina during the rally,\u201d emphasizes St\u00e9phane Peterhansel. \u201cI have trained a lot on my bicycle. We have to be able to rest well during the nights, and we also pay attention to our diet.\u201d One of the special challenges this year is a 48-hour stage. It takes place on January 11 and 12 and forms a joint stage \u2013 the sixth of twelve.<\/p>\n

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Infographic: Dakar Rally route 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The organizers have chosen the Empty Quarter with its seemingly endless sea of dunes as the venue. As the motorcycles and quads are on different routes, the leading crews in the cars and racing trucks will not have any tracks in the sand on these two days. In addition, the participants have to do without the regular service from the team and are only allowed to help each other. That night, however, they are spread across multiple bivouacs. They are also unable to perceive and assess the performance of their opponents. \u201cThis will be a big strategic challenge,\u201d says Peterhansel\u2019s co-driver Edouard Boulanger. \u201cBut the second week will also be tough, because this year the rocky stages only come at the end. Then things can still change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Audi RS Q e-tron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Detailed development work on the Audi RS Q e-tron<\/h2>\n

The development team led by Dr. Leonardo Pascali has improved the RS Q e-tron in many areas compared to last year\u2019s model. \u201cThe new set-up improves comfort and is also very efficient,\u201d emphasizes Carlos Sainz, who has optimized many rally cars in his almost 40 years as a professional driver. Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m adds: \u201cFor me, it\u2019s all about how we use the car perfectly in the sand. It helps that we can drive over the dunes without needing to change gears.\u201d Edouard Boulanger notes a shift in the emphasis of individual topics: \u201cAt the beginning of the project, the focus was on the fundamental development of the complex drivetrain technology and the car. In the meantime, we have also found the time to improve many aspects of the cockpit. We can better control the noise levels and the effects thereof, and the driver and co-driver are also better protected against the effects of hard impacts and extreme loads. The technicians have worked hard on this during the past year and made real progress. A big compliment for that.\u201d The electric drivetrain of the RS Q e-tron with a high-voltage battery draws its power from an energy converter. Audi has been relying on residue-based reFuel for its operation since the last Dakar Rally. The regulations limit the output of the electric drivetrain to 286 kW in January 2024, distributed between the front and rear axles. Many other new details reduce maintenance times for the team and make the prototype safer, more reliable, and more comfortable.<\/p>\n

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Audi RS Q e-tron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Edouard Boulanger, St\u00e9phane Peterhansel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Team Audi Sport is part of a strong field of entrants<\/h2>\n

343 participants have registered for the 46th edition of the Dakar Rally. They will start with 72 cars in the T1 and T2 classes, 42 additional models in the T3 class, 36 smaller SSV vehicles, 46 trucks, as well as 137 motorcycles and 10 quads. \u201cWe are up against very strong and experienced competitors,\u201d Rolf Michl is sure. \u201cAs every year, we expect that the relative strengths of the competition will only really become apparent during the rally.\u201d Carlos Sainz recognizes the strong competition: \u201cDefinitely Dakar winner Nasser Al-Attiyah and world rally champion S\u00e9bastien Loeb in the Prodrive Hunters are among them. Toyota also has a former winner in Giniel de Villiers and a number of good younger drivers in its line-up. And we certainly won\u2019t underestimate our new opponent, Ford, with former winner Nani Roma.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Emil Bergkvist, Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the third year in a row, Team Audi Sport is entering the event with its unchanged driver line-up. As a DTM champion, World Rallycross champion, 24-hour race winner, and champion of an electric touring car series, Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m probably brings the greatest variety of experience and success to the table. \u201cI\u2019ve learned a lot since I first competed as a rookie in 2020,\u201d says Ekstr\u00f6m. \u201cOur rivals are experienced and fast. I\u2019ve been training and competing as much as possible in order to be ready. My co-driver and I have continued to increase our speed and our understanding of the sport.\u201d His navigator is fellow Swede Emil Bergkvist, who has quickly adapted to the Dakar Rally. \u201cI\u2019m already looking forward to the next edition, because our learning curve continues to point upwards,\u201d says the co-driver, who only switched from the driver\u2019s to the co-driver\u2019s seat since working with Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m.<\/p>\n

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Lucas Cruz, Carlos Sainz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a 14-time winner, Frenchman St\u00e9phane Peterhansel is the lone record holder at the Dakar Rally. He relies on the guidance of his compatriot Edouard Boulanger, who has already accompanied him to victory. Two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz is a giant of his sport. He first drove with Lucas Cruz as his co-driver in 2009, and the two Spaniards have together won the Dakar Rally three times to date. They are the longest-standing driver and co-driver combination at Audi. \u201cThe upcoming Dakar will be tough, but we have prepared thoroughly for it,\u201d says Lucas Cruz confidently. \u201cPhysically, my program included cycling and jogging in the mountains, plus exercising in the gym. Mentally, I prepare myself with a sports psychologist. This helps my reaction times and with multitasking.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Lucas Cruz, Carlos Sainz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coordinated team as a key strength<\/h2>\n

The foundation of such a complex, varied and high-stress environment as the Dakar Rally is a reliable team. Team Audi Sport has cooperated with Q Motorsport from Trebur, Germany since day one. Sven Quandt, who won the T1 Marathon Cup in cross-country rallying as a driver in 1998, has long been a successful team principal. He has already won the Dakar Rally six times with his X-raid team and the World Cup for cross-country rallies eleven times. \u201cExperience is the key to success in our sport,\u201d emphasizes St\u00e9phane Peterhansel. \u201cSven Quandt and his team have shown that they can overcome all challenges. With such a good team behind us, we sleep more soundly at night and go into the stages with more confidence.\u201d His co-driver Edouard Boulanger adds: \u201cWe have a lot of new members who have joined Team Audi Sport. They have done an excellent job in familiarizing themselves with the subject matter over this year and have driven the project forward in a good direction with their contributions. That gives me confidence.\u201d Nevertheless, Mattias Ekstr\u00f6m speaks for everyone when he says: \u201cI have learned to remain humble in this sport. There are incredibly long days and so many of them …\u201d<\/p>\n

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Audi RS Q e-tron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the combined experience of drivers, co-drivers, the entire team, and the further developed RS Q e-tron, Rolf Michl has one wish above all: \u201cWe want to experience the Dakar Rally as smoothly as possible to show what we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

All content \u00a9<\/strong> 2023 Audi<\/p>\n