Dakar 2023 – The FIA ​​reacts to the increase in power of Audi hybrids

The controversy arising from the increase in power of the Audi RS Q e-tron hybrids from the fifth stage of the 2023 Dakar is such that the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), co-organizer of the World Championship of rally-raid (W2RC) in coordination with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) had to publish a press release to explain this decision.

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The EoT is supposed to guarantee fairness of opportunity between vehicles with innovative engines (T1U, hybrid Audi RS Q e-tron) and T1+ (4×4 with petrol engine like the Prodrive Hunter and the Toyota Hilux, two-wheel drive with petrol engine like the Century and MD Rally, 4×4 diesel like the Mini JCW). AUTO n°2394hebdo, available in digital version and on newsstands, allows you to understand everything about this regulatory aspect.

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Since the 5th stage of the Dakar 2023, the Audis of Carlos Sainz, Stéphane Peterhansel and Mattias Ekström benefit from 11 additional horses. The Toyota and Prodrive keep their power unchanged.

“The Technology Equivalence adjustment is part of the Cross-Country Rally Sporting Regulations, indicates the FIA. It was introduced at the request of manufacturers and teams, who wanted a correction mechanism during the Dakar, given the unusual length of the event.

The FIA ​​agreed to implement the Technology Equivalence mechanism in a process which lasted several months and which involved all T1U competitors (Audi) and T1+ (Toyota, Prodrive, Mini). The teams provided simulation or test data to allow the FIA ​​to calibrate its calculation tools. The final Technology Equivalence process has been approved by all T1U and T1+ manufacturers and manufacturers.

Regarding the decision taken yesterday (Wednesday January 4) by the Committee W2RC to adjust the technology equivalence for the T1+ and T1U, the data from stages 1, 2 and 3 of the Dakar 2023 showed a gap in favor of the T1+ of the order of 9,3 kW. In accordance with the regulations, it was therefore decided by the W2RC Committee (composed of David Castera and Jérôme Roussel. Editor’s note) to grant a power increase of 8 kW for T1Us from stage 5.”

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The regulations allow a rebalancing of up to 80% of the power delta observed, hence the figure of 8 kW chosen by the FIA. What the press release does not say is that officials will again analyze the data collected during the acceleration of T1U and T1+ during the next three stages (5, 6 and 7), before analyzing the data, in order to change again, or not, the EoT.