Dakar 2024 – Audi completes final conclusive tests in France

The departure of Dakar Rally 2024 is scheduled for January 5 in Saudi Arabia. One month and a half before the kick-off of the most famous rally-raids, Audi Sport carried out its final tests in the south of France, on the Château Lastours base.

The three crews were on site, namely Stéphane Peterhansel-Édouard Boulanger, Carlos Sainz-Lucas Cruz and Mattias Ekström-Emil Bergkvist. These duos worked on the reliability of the Audi RS Q e-tron E2 hybrid. The battery system and other elements of the four electric motors as well as the gasoline thermal unit were reviewed.

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High-resolution photos from our recent test in France are available in the Audi MediaCenter:

>> https://t.co/7yMFjOvnPh#FutureIsAnAttitude #AudiDakar #RoadToDakar2024 #RSQetron pic.twitter.com/R8ueOvTnkk

- Audi Sport (@audisport) November 24, 2023

“We have completed our development tasks and are now focusing on the remaining logistical work before January”, said Rolf Michl, head of Audi Motorsport. “We have prepared as best we can, but the Dakar remains the most ambitious and by far the most difficult event on the calendar. We approach it with great respect. A big thank you also to the whole team, as well as our drivers and co-drivers for the work they have done so far for this very demanding challenge. »

Confidence is high among the Germans, as confirmed by Sven Quandt, Team Principal of Q Motorsport, the operating team for the three hybrid Audis. “We were able to work through all the necessary items on our checklist. Our drivers and engineers put the cars through their paces for the Dakar. Carlos, Mattias and Stéphane are satisfied.

They even used some spare parts that they had taken into the compartments. We are going to the Dakar with excitement, but also with serenity. Everyone showed they were playing the team race. They approach their tasks with determination and consistency. This strengthens our confidence for the Dakar. »