Dakar – Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah for victory in 2014

They will aim for the final victory in 2014. Qatar Red Bull Rally Team does not let itself be dismantled after a Dakar which saw the abandonment of these two Buggy, entrusted to the hands of Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah. The young team announces on its official media its intention to return next year to play the leading roles, with the same pair of drivers.

We will also have to monitor them very closely, as this new Qatari team has made a strong impression this year. With Buggy developed in a handful of months, Carlos Sainz took the very first stage victory before experiencing a much more complicated Dakar, until his retirement during the 6th stage. During this time, his teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah had three successes and put serious pressure on Stéphane Peterhansel, then leader of the general classification. But new technical problems on a Buggy that was still too young also got the better of Nasser Al-Attiyah, and offered the French driver a new victory on the stage. With now a year of preparation before the next rally-raid, the Qatari team has reason to be optimistic.

“I did the best I could during this race”, declares Nasser Al-Attiyah. “Everyone on the team did such a good job that they can all be very proud of their efforts. Now we can afford to think in the longer term and take the time we need to improve our car. I am confident in our chances to come back next year and compete for victory together with Carlos. » “In 2013 we proved that we have built an efficient car and put together a dedicated team,” for his part, believes Carlos Sainz. “We have two former Dakar winners (Sainz in 2010, Al-Attiyah in 2011, both on Volkswagen, editor’s note) who work together to keep this ambitious project on track. We have all the tools we need to start looking ahead to the next Dakar and raise the bar even higher.”