In Qatar, Nasser Al-Attiyah does not tremble against the WRC2 big names

Facing fierce competition, Nasser Al-Attiyah won the Qatar Rally for the 18th time in his career.

Published on 18/02/2023 à 15:34

Gonzalo Forbes

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In Qatar, Nasser Al-Attiyah does not tremble against the WRC2 big names

Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel win the 2023 Qatar Rally © Qatar Motor & Motocycle Federation

Everything is not Dakar for Nasser Al-Attiyah. Also passionate about rally for whom he is the reference on his land, the Qatari imposed his law on the Qatar Rally. However, the task did not look easy for the last winner of the largest rally raid in the world and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel who had to face the presence of the last three WRC2 champions Mads Ostberg (in 2020), Andreas Mikkelsen (in 2021) and Emil Lindholm (in 2022).

In a Qatar Rally based in Lusail and contested over a total of 13 special stages, Nasser Al-Attiyah had to work hard to get rid of the WRC2 ogres. At the wheel of his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, the event local saw Andreas Mikkelsen holding him back before Mads Ostberg joined in the dance. The crossover between Al-Attiyah and the Norwegian lasted until the 10e special before the battle takes a completely different turn.

From then on, Nasser Al-Attiyah took the lead and never let go of the controls to win the Qatar Rally for the 18e time in his career with a 12" lead over Mads Ostberg. In total, the one guided by Mathieu Baumel won 2 of the 7 special stages at stake. Andreas Mikkelsen completed the podium more than 13'1 behind. Reigning WRC30 champion, Emil Lindholm left with 2e place more than 2 minutes away.

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Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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