Dakar 2024 – Mathieu Baumel lays the foundations: “Don’t fall too far behind” in the first week

Le Dakar Rally 2024 has not started before Mathieu Baumel has already tried and validated his new frame. No, it's not the Dacia that awaits him in 2025, but an electric bike, very practical for getting around the huge starting bivouac of Al-Ula (20 hectares)!

 

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The best co-driver in the world rally-raid demonstrates unfeigned relaxation before the big departure scheduled for January 5. The Frenchman even revised well since he knows the colors of his new car by heart, the Prodrive Hunter T1+ “So, we have burgundy and white which represent the colors of the flag of Qatar, the red, yellow and dark blue of Red Bull, and also the lighter, almost emerald blue of visit Qatar. I know my car! » A patchwork of colors for a fireworks display between now and January 19, the arrival date of the 46th edition? In any case Mathieu Baumel is in high spirits.

“We took advantage of the shakedown to check all the car’s procedures. We find ourselves with Nasser in a new cockpit, with a new arrangement regarding the position of the switches and the on-board control. We have a little book to help us find our bearings better, but I still have a few reflexes dating back to Toyota (the car he used between 2017 and 2023. Editor’s note). It will take a few days to be well established, but the main thing is there, there is no problem. »

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Nasser Al-Attiyah's favorite navigator has carefully analyzed the route of this Dakar 2024, which promises to be tough (like every year...). “Something could happen at all stages. The 15 days seem quite brisk in rhythm. In the first week, we will have a pseudo marathon stage, where we will sleep in a tent after having had 2 hours of assistance with the team (instead of external assistance prohibited in previous years. Ed.), and the famous 48 Hours. I'm afraid the second week will be more technical than the first. We will not have to rest and always stay in contact with the frontrunners to aim for victory.”, he analyzes.

Mathieu Baumel knows that the density of the forces present could provoke a new way of constructing his race. “There are more than 50 T1+ and Ultimate cars at the start, it’s great for the discipline. This proves the popularity of rally raids for manufacturers. We must maintain this line of conduct on the part of ASO. Concerning tactics, there will be days when it will be better not to finish among the first in the stage in order not to open the next day's special. »

In 2022, Mathieu Baumel struck a major blow by outrunning all the competition thanks to a judicious choice of navigation from the first stage. In 2023, Nasser Al-Attiyah carefully avoided the protruding rocks to isolate himself in the lead after a few days. Can a similar scenario repeat itself in 2024?

“I’m not sure what the tactic is going to be. But given that the first week will be aggressive in difficulties, we must not fall too far behind at least in order to manage the second week well. » The secret is therefore well kept!

As for cohabitation with his compatriot Sébastien Loeb, it is in good shape assures Mathieu Baumel and could even make it possible to distribute the responsibility for aiming for a final victory within the Prodrive structure. “Everything is going very well, there are no problems. We are a very strong team and we are prepared together for the future (with Dacia). This is the first time that we have had teammates capable of going faster than us! We will try to place both cars as high as possible. It’s never negative to be associated with someone like Seb. There will be good competition, we will help each other and that will allow us to avoid taking risks every day. The work will be shared, because we are not the only ones with the task of winning. »