With the win, Audi makes history.
History was made in Dakar for the winning driver and the car he was driving.
For the first time, a low direct-emission prototype with an electric drive, high-voltage battery and energy converter won the world’s toughest desert rally with the Audi RS Q e-tron.
Piloted by Spaniards Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz, they secured Audi’s first victory in the Dakar Rally after around 7,900 kilometers with a lead of 1h 20min.
Sainz, the legendary Spanish rally driver, once again etched his name in the record books. At the age of 61, Sainz secured his fourth victory in the prestigious Dakar Rally, becoming the oldest winner in the history of the event.
Daily stages of often more than 400 kilometers, two marathon stages with limited or even no service, as well as 4,600 timed kilometers and 7,883 kilometers in total characterized the 2024 Dakar Rally. Sharp scree and gravel roads, but also towering chains of dunes in the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula and often difficult navigation demanded everything from the teams. Carlos Sainz, who at 61 looks back on a rally career spanning around four decades, recorded a total of eight days in the lead with Lucas Cruz on the twelve stages.
Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz secured their big lead after having been in the lead without interruption since the sixth stage. For the two Spaniards, who finished first in 2010, 2018 and 2020, this is their fourth success with a different brand, including the second from the Volkswagen Group.
In interviews following his historic win, Sainz attributed his success to his unwavering determination and rigorous preparation. He emphasized the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving one’s goals. Sainz’s victory not only highlights his exceptional talent but also serves as an inspiration to athletes of all ages. His ability to excel at such a physically demanding sport at 61 years old demonstrates that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one’s passion and achieving greatness.
The Spanish racing legend’s achievements extend beyond the Dakar Rally. With two World Rally Championship titles under his belt and a successful career spanning decades, Sainz has established himself as one of the most accomplished and respected figures in motorsports.
Sainz’s win at the Dakar Rally not only celebrates his personal triumph but also showcases the capabilities of Audi as a dominant force in the world of motorsports. This victory marks Audi’s first-ever win in the Dakar Rally, solidifying their position as a leading manufacturer in the industry.
“Congratulations to Team Audi Sport on winning the Dakar Rally,” said Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Audi has once again set a milestone in motorsport. Winning the world’s toughest desert rally with an electrified drive is a visible ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and points the way to our electric future.” The Audi RS Q e-tron has electric all-wheel drive. The energy supply is ensured by a high-voltage battery and an energy converter that runs on residual fuel-based reFuel.
“With our revolutionary electrified drive, we have overcome one of the biggest challenges in motorsport after just three years. We are thus continuing a long series of pioneering achievements that have always characterized Audi in four decades of motorsport. I would like to thank the entire team for this outstanding performance in a particularly tough edition of the Dakar Rally,” says Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Technical Development. At the Dakar Rally, Audi was up against the two brands Toyota and Ford as well as the experienced opponents from Prodrive, who proved to be tough challengers.
“That was an overwhelming team performance,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl. “Everyone pulled together to make this historic result possible for Audi. A big thank you to this wonderful team. Today we have written a new chapter for Audi, but also in the history of the Dakar Rally.”
