Motorsport: Al-Attiyah wins the Dakar Rally for the fifth time

Motorsports
Al-Attiyah wins the Dakar Rally for the fifth time

Racing driver Nasser Al-Attiyah won the Dakar Rally for the fifth time in 2023. photo

© Ricardo Mazalan/AP/dpa

Qatari racing driver Nasser Al-Attiyah has defended his Dakar Rally title and won the off-road challenge for the fifth time.

Qatari racing driver Nasser Al-Attiyah has defended his Dakar Rally title and won the off-road challenge for the fifth time.

After the 14th and final stage to Dammam on the Persian Gulf, the 52-year-old Toyota driver and his French co-driver Mathieu Baumel were an hour and 20 minutes ahead of second-placed Sebastien Loeb (France) and his Belgian neighbor Fabian Lurquin.

Timo Gottschalk caused German celebrations at the 45th edition of the Dakar, according to the organizers. The navigator from Brandenburg came third in the PS marathon through Saudi Arabia with Brazilian pilot Lucas Moraes.

This rank surpasses “all expectations and goals – that feels particularly good,” said Gottschalk. “I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved over the past two weeks.”

Al-Attiyah also benefited from accidents suffered by its rivals Stephane Peterhansel (France) and Carlos Sainz (Spain). However, he himself mastered the Dakar confidently and has led the overall standings since the third stage. “It was a difficult Dakar for everyone. It’s crazy that I was able to defend my title,” said Al-Attiyah. “I’m very happy to have won five times.”

Only Peterhansel, who won the overall ranking with the car eight times, achieved more success. The Frenchman was also successful six times with his motorcycle. “I always want to win more and more,” announced Al-Attiyah.

dpa

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