The Dakar, McDowell at Daytona, Formula E in Valencia… The moments that made the year 2021 (1/3)

14th Dakar for Stéphane Peterhansel – January 3/15

Stéphane Peterhansel won his 14th Dakar in 2021. ©DPPI/F. Le Floc’h

“Monsieur Dakar” is not satisfied. At 55, the Franc-Comtois added a 14th Dakar to his rich list of achievements with a Mini JCW Buggy. However, there was no shortage of challenges, particularly on the navigation side. The Director of the event (and his former navigator in 2019!), David Castera had the good idea of ​​only giving the road book a few minutes before the start of each stage, thus making any recognition of the route impossible. Field science was essential to the success of “Peter”, helped by a new co-pilot, Édouard Boulanger.

https://youtu.be/bmyE0cDbh1o?t=503

Ogier and Ingrassia in the history of Monte-Carlo – January 21/24

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are now the record holders for victories at Monte-Carlo. ©DPPI/G. Lenormand

Following on from their 7th title acquired at Monza in December 2020, Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia are starting the 2021 season on the floor. On the icy roads of the Hautes-Alpes, the duo Toyota Gazoo Racing showed itself to be uncompromising by signing 5 of the 14 scratches at stake to win an 8th Monte-Carlo, a record for a crew in the Monaco classic. At the finish, the two men push back Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin and Thierry Neuville/Martin Wydaeghe of 32”5 and 1’13”5. A demonstration.

McDowell, the chef's surprise at the Daytona 500 – February 14

Michael McDowell won his first Cup Series race at this year's Daytona 500. ©Nascar Media

If there is one man who was not expected at the Daytona 500 this year it is Michael McDowell. Having never really been at the front since his Cup Series debut in 2008, the Front Row Motorsports driver took everyone by surprise on Valentine's Day. As a great opportunist, the man from Arizona took advantage of the Big One at the end of the race to take the lead on the last lap, the only one he led in a 63rd edition marked by an interruption of more than 5 hours! A victory which allowed him to immediately validate his ticket for the playoffs, of which he would not pass the first round later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOEdW3jnmY&ab_channel=EthanThames1890

Divorce Loeb-Elena – March 16

The adventure in Rally-Raid between the two men ended in March. ©DPPI/J. Delfosse

Historically, the relationship between France and England has experienced ups and downs. The latest twist to date is the incompatibility between Prodrive, the team responsible for the BRX Hunter which did not lead Sébastien Loeb to victory in the Dakar, and Daniel Elena, the Alsatian's historic co-pilot. The latter did not really try to defend his sidekick when the English bosses blamed “Danos” for abandoning the Dakar. As a result, Loeb will continue with the Belgian Fabian Lurquin and Daniel Elena will remain a good friend, but outside the car.

100% tricolor victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring – March 19/20

The Vautier trio-Duval-Bourdais put the French flag at the top of the podium at Sebring. ©IMSA Media/LAT Images

At the 12 Hours of Sebring last March, Sébastien Bourdais, Loïc Duval and Tristan Vautier achieved a performance that only one French trio had achieved before. Loïc Duval was already there and won in Florida on a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP with Olivier Panis and Nicolas lapierre in 2011. On their Cadillac DPi-VR, the Tricolores beat the Mazda RT24-P of Jonathan Bomarito, Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell and the Acura ARX-05 of Dane Cameron, Juan Pablo Montoya and Olivier Pla at the end of a incredible comeback after being one lap behind during the event.

Bottas and Russell in the scenery at Imola – April 18

If they were going to have to cross paths later in the season to negotiate with Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas and George Russell crossed paths much earlier on the track. In the fight for 9th place in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the Finn and the Englishman made contact and ended up in the gravel trap after a violent exit from the track. What followed was a virulent altercation between the protagonists where George Russell did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction to his counterpart. Later in the season, the Briton will be promoted to Mercedes in place of… Valtteri Bottas.

Evans cracks in Croatia, Ogier takes advantage – April 22/25

At the start of the 20th and final special of the Croatian round, Elfyn Evans is 3” ahead of Sébastien Ogier. All he had to do was perform during the Power Stage to achieve his first success of the season. Author of an excellent time, Ogier manages to put pressure on the Welshman who misses in the last corner and lets slip 9, thus ceding the victory to the Frenchman by only 4 tenths. This is the 5rd closest finish in history after Jordan in 6 (3″2011 between Ogier and Latvala) and New Zealand in 0 (2″2007 between Gronhölm and Loeb).

The chaos in Formula E in Valencia – April 24

Water and electricity rarely go well together, and Formula E learned this the hard way on April 24 during the Valencia ePrix. On the wet track of the Ricardo Tormo circuit, the safety car intervenes five times. However, each minute of race neutralization reduces the power available under the hoods of the FE. And what was supposed to happen happened... only nine drivers were classified at the finish. The others, due to lack of available energy, abandon or are disqualified for exceeding consumption limits. A disaster for the image of the championship!