Agencies/Buenos Aires


Reigning Dakar Rally champions Nasser al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel have lifted the lid on the car they will be using when they return to South America in January.
The Red Bull-backed athletes will once again be at the controls of the ultra impressive MINI that they not only steered to victory at the last Dakar, but also drove during their domination of this season’s FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup.
The successful partnership between Nasser, Mathieu and their trusted X-raid machine saw them clock the quickest time on six stages at the 2015 Dakar. The crew eventually finished the epic two-week rally a staggering 35 minutes clear of the race’s second place driver. The good times continued throughout the year as the Qatari driver, French co-driver and German built car travelled the globe to contest the Cross-Country Rally World Cup.
With continuity on his side there is only one aim for Nasser as he heads back to Argentina: become the first man in Dakar history to win the car race three times in South America.
However, Nasser, Mathieu and their MINI will have to work in perfect unison if they are to get the better of the immense challenges that await them at the Dakar. They must come out on top against the event’s trademark tricky terrain as well as a host of other crews who will be out to snatch victory for themselves.
The reigning champions will need to replicate the driving and navigational skills that have brought them so much success this season if they are to make history by recording another winning result at the toughest rally on the planet.
“I really feel like I’m going into this race with the best team currently competing in Cross-Country rallies. I’ve been driving the MINI for around three years now. During this time I have built up a lot of experience with the car in testing as well as racing,” said al-Attiyah.
“I have been able to secure winning results in the last Dakar and this year’s FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup. Results like this help to build momentum and bring the team closer together so we are all feeling in great shape ahead of our next adventure at the Dakar.
“I’m really proud that I have been able to win two editions of the Dakar in South America, it’s something only Stéphane (Peterhansel) and myself have been able to do in the car race. Now the plan is to go back to South America and win the race again. It would be something really special to be the first driver to win three Dakars in South America and that is my aim in January.
“I have got to know the terrain very well over the past years I have been racing in countries such as Argentina.
“The routes are definitely challenging, but this is something I enjoy. This is never going to be an easy race so it’s important the route of the race tests us all to the limit.
“Another special feature of racing in South America is the atmosphere created by the fans and I can’t wait to get over there and see them all again soon.”
The Qatari champion's co-driver Baumel added: “Racing in Bolivia will once again be very interesting and challenging. The first thing to consider is the altitude because we will be more than 3,000 metres above sea level for three or four days.
“There’s also plenty of off piste routes in Bolivia so it becomes extremely challenging from a navigational standpoint. The best thing to help cool off after each stage and to release a bit of pressure is to listen to some music during the liaison route back to the bivouac. We will use the first kilometres of the route to organise our time back at the bivouac. After that you need to clear your mind so it’s good to take some time to talk about anything else other than the race.
“Also at the Dakar you have so much beautiful landscape to enjoy as you drive between each stage. If it’s been a particularly tough day maybe I will sleep a little in the car, but I know when I do this Nasser will take the chance to take a photo of me having a snooze.”