Jutta Kleinschmidt: “I grew up thinking that anything was possible for a woman”

Two weeks after Fabrizia Pons (Ah 2345), another great female figure in motorsport invites us in one of her legendary cars. Well, not quite: the winner of the 2001 Paris-Dakar discovered, at the bivouac in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), a Mitsubishi Pajero prepared by an Austrian enthusiast who was a particular fan of his exploits in Africa.

Published on 28/01/2022 à 13:00

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Jutta Kleinschmidt: “I grew up thinking that anything was possible for a woman”

Jutta Kleinschmidt © Julien Delfosse

This Mitsubishi raced the Dakar Classic; what does it mean to you?

It's really pleasing to see that an enthusiast has decided to reproduce the exact decoration of my victorious car 21 years ago! (Peter Brabeck, the owner of the 4×4, engages in conversation. “ I restored the Pajero last year. This is my first rally-raid and I'm meeting you for the first time, I'm moved! You need to sign the rearview mirror, please ") Can I take the wheel? (Peter Brabeck gives him the key without hesitation. Editor's note) It has the same V6 engine in it, but the gearbox is not vintage.

You continue to roam the Dakar bivouac, thanks to your duties at the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)…

For the last three years, I was President of the Off-road commission at the request of Jean Todt (president of the FIA from 2009 to 2021. Editor’s note). My goal was to bring together the FIA and ASO (organizer of the Dakar. Editor’s note) to imagine the World Championship. When I was riding, I dreamed of fighting for a title like that, but it never happened. We can finally see all the changes made in recent times: the creation of SSV, then the clear separation between SSV and T3, the T1 Ultimate dedicated to new energies such as hybrid Audis, biofuels (mandatory in T1 in 2023. Editor’s note), etc.

On a sporting level, you have also made things more complicated…

Exact. The digital road book, given on the morning of the stage, makes the race more interesting, because mistakes are possible again. It was like that originally. The co-driver can no longer go to Google Earth and plot the next day's special stage.

Was it necessary to revitalize a discipline that was losing momentum?

Since 2008, the number of participants has not