Dakar 2023 – Mathieu Serradori sets out in pursuit of the greats

When we met them at the starting bivouac of the Dakar 2023 in Saudi Arabia, Mathieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier (Century) had hammered out deaths and equivocal expressions. “We are here to not give up, we are motivated. » Their performance during the second stage, contested on Monday January 2, was the proof we were waiting for.

The French crew did not panic in the midst of the adventures, on a rocky course. A little trick decided before kick-off probably saved their day. “We had a tire strategy in place consisting of underinflating the car because we knew we were going to make the tires suffer today. We did not seek performance but to overcome the pitfalls. We had 300 km of canyons and rocks, crazy stuff, I can guarantee you that in the car there was not a word. We didn't flinch all day until the dunes just before the bivouac which gave us some relief. »

While Sébastien Loeb (Bahrain Raid Xtreme) spent almost 1h30'' on the winner of the stage Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota), the best private driver of the Dakar 2022 (7th) achieved the fourth best time, providing third position in the general classification (+24'55''), just behind the untouchable Audi and Toyota of Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah.

“I think we entered the Dakar today (Monday). David Castera warned us that this would be a difficult stage, I think we need to listen to him carefully in the evening at the briefing. I'm proud because it rewards the work of the team who prepared a great car for us. This third place feels like a stage victory. »

A new partnership

This thunderous start to Dakar 2023 for Mathieu Serradori and Loïc Minaudier took place under the banner of the Century Racing Factory Team. For the first time since the entrepreneur piloted a South African two-wheel drive, he benefited from the direct support of the manufacturer.

“We take off our hat as an independent competitor to take on that of supporting the Century Factory”, explains Mathieu Serradori, stage winner on the Dakar in 2020. “ This is a big advantage for us, this is the first year that the car has been made available by the manufacturer. It is a mark of recognition. »

Loïc Minaudier is also back on track. “ Last year we played with the big guys for a good part of the event. Now we shouldn't be surprised to be here, and I don't want to look at them in surprise. We have to fight with them. »

We will see which direction the W2RC but we are committed in theory to playing the entire 2023 season.” On the evening of the third stage, Serradori-Minaudier is in sixth place in the general classification, 27'19'' behind the leaders Al-Attiyah-Baumel.