Sven Quandt: “Reliability has never been a problem”

Absent from the top step of the podium Dakar Rally since 2015, and the victory of Nasser Al-Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel on a Mini ALL4 Racing, the Team X-Raid seems in a position to regain victory this year, while the 100% Peruvian event will start on Monday for the first kilometers against the clock.

The end of the second adventure Peugeot Sport allowed Sven Quandt, head of the German structure, to recruit three of the four residents of the Lion last year, with the outgoing winner Carlos Sainz, the record holder for victories Stephane Peterhansel et Cyril Despres.

A trio which appears on paper as the big favorite against the Toyota Hilux – Overdrive from Al-Attiyah or de Villiers, but also against Sébastien’s Peugeot 3008 DKR – PH Sport Loeb. And Sven Quandt does not hesitate to advance the visible progression of buggy house, developed in parallel with the operation of the traditional 4×4 JCW.

“Development has been achieved in all areas, comments Quandt. Carlos Sainz became familiar with the car from the start of 2018, which allowed changes to be made from the start and in the right direction.

There have been small changes involving basic components and settings, but they certainly help to make the buggy even more competitive. Testing has been ongoing since then, and reliability has never been an issue.

The drivers are very happy with their cars. After covering difficult kilometers on very rough tracks, they pointed out that with another car they would probably have stopped after about a third of the kilometers covered.

Reliability is key and we continually push the possibilities. I'm not saying our chassis won't break, but we will go further than other chassis. We will be heavier than most but this will give us more margin of safety if a big mistake is made. »

Carlos Sainz, winner in 2018 of the South American event with the 3008 DKR Maxi, admits to being satisfied with the capabilities of his new vehicle, he who is discovering a whole new team after Peugeot.

“We have made a lot of progress,” explains the double world champion. WRC 1990 – 1992. Meetings with the team helped us improve certain areas by making small changes and, compared to last year's car, it's very different when it comes to suspension, balance, brakes and weight.

It’s a really big program, but we are well prepared. Of course, you always feel like you can do more, but we've made good progress. »