Dakar – Team X-Raid confirms its drivers

As we announced to you in issue 2181 of AUTOhebdo, Team X-Raid took advantage of the withdrawal of Peugeot du Rally-Raid to recover the stars of the discipline.

While the 2019 Dakar will be contested in Peru in three months, Sven Quandt's team has confirmed the recruitment of Carlos Sainz, Stéphane Peterhansel and Cyril Desprès who will all be lined up on the Mini JCW Buggy.

While the Spaniard won the most famous Rally-Raid event for the second time last January, Peterhansel remains the biggest winner of the race with 7 victories in cars and 6 in motorcycles. The French driver has already celebrated two victories with Team X-Raid in 2012 and 2013 with Mini All4 Racing and a 2nd place in 2014.

“Carlos provided valuable assistance in the development of our Mini, particularly in terms of adjustments., explains Sven Quandt. Stéphane is an old friend and I am delighted to welcome him back to the team. Cyril has shown what he is capable of in recent years and I am curious to see how he will use his abilities in practice with us. In any case, he has already covered many kilometers with us. Our Mini has been running well these past few months. »

Team X-Raid will enter Carlos Sainz and Cyril Desprès in the Rallye du Maroc which will begin on October 4 in Fez.

“A new team, a new car and a new challenge, comments Carlos Sainz. I am sure they will rise to the challenge. I love the challenge of working, developing and getting the best out of a new car. It's always exciting. We have worked hard to make the Mini progress and I am happy with it even though we still have time to improve it. »

“It's really fun to drive the Mini JCW Buggy, I'm definitely a Buggy driver, adds Cyril Desprès who will now be co-driven by Jean-Paul Cottret. Jean-Paul is one of the most experienced co-drivers in the world of Rally-Raid. I have known him for a good fifteen years. We will ride almost exclusively on sand in the Dakar next year and the slightest mistake could be decisive. »

Stéphane Peterhansel will be entered in an SSV Buggy at the Rallye du Maroc before taking the wheel of the Mini JCW Buggy at the Dakar.

“I am happy to come back to this team, together with Cyril and Carlos, declares the record holder for Dakar victories. The Mini JCW Buggy is great fun and enjoyable to drive. We made some modifications to the chassis being able to reduce the weight. The Dakar will only be contested in one country, but Peru is very beautiful and interesting. The test will be interesting with its large dunes and its immense desert. »

Presenting the all new X-raid MINI JCW Team featuring , @CSainz_oficial, @cyrildespres and @s_peterhansel #MINI #JohnCooperWorks # Dakar2019 #MINIMotorsport #MINIthrillmaximized #Offroad #Race #DakarRally #Redbull #xraidteam pic.twitter.com/OFSCNVftGX

— Red Bull Motorsports (@redbullmotors) 2th October, 2018