Dakar – Nasser Al-Attiyah big winner

Nasser Al-Attiyah was quickly released since the last special stage of the 2015 Dakar, located between Rosario and Buenos Aires (Argentina), was reduced to 34km due to bad weather. After 40h32'47, the Qatari won with a lead of 35 minutes over the Toyota Hilux of Giniel de Villiers after completing an almost perfect test at the wheel of his All4 Racing. This is his second success after the one won in 2011 with the Volkswagen Touareg.

The Minis shined again in South America since four models finished in the top five. Krzysztof Holowczyk completes the podium, an hour behind the South African by beating Erik van Loon and Vladimir Vasilyev grouped together in less than a dozen minutes. Christian Lavieille (Toyota) missed the top five by only three minutes but was ahead of Bernhard Ten Brike (Toyota) by half an hour. Carlos Sousa ranks eighth in his Mitsubishi ASX which is only three minutes behind the Hilux in front of him. Aidyn Rakhimbayev (Mini) and Ronan Chabot (SMG) complete the top ten.

Peugeot suffered for his return to the Dakar with the 2008 DKR. Stéphane Peterhansel places the first Sochalienne in eleventh place, while Cyril Despres fails beyond 30th position. Carlos Sainz gave up as soon as the fifth step.

For the record, it was Robby Gordon (Buggy “Gordini”) who was the fastest on the last timed course with a time of 13'29. The American was half a minute ahead of Leeroy Poulter (Toyota) and Emiliano Spataro (Renault Duster), but he remains 19th behind Orlando Terranova (Mini) who lost his hopes of victory following mechanical problems from the fourth day. The South African finished 16th while the Argentinian ranked just outside the top 20.

The video summary of the last stage of the Dakar can be consulted here.

Discover the Dakar report in issue 1995 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.