Al-Attiyah furious at Audi Dakar power boost "for killing the race early"
Toyota’s Nasser Al-Attiyah has lashed out at the decision by Dakar Rally organisers to increase the power output of his Audi rivals ahead of Stage 5, accusing them on social media of “killing the race early”.
The FIA World Rally-Raid Championship’s Committee announced an immediate change in the Balance of Performance to give cars in the T1.U class for prototype cars using renewable energies – which includes Audi’s RS Q e-tron E2 – an extra 8kW, which is believed to be worth 11bhp.
A statement read: “Following the data analysis of the vehicles entered in the T1.U and T1+ categories on the first three stages of the Dakar Rally 2023, the W2RC Committee has decided, in accordance with Article V1 13.3 of the regulations, to increase the maximum power of the T1.U cars.
After having analysed the data of the vehicles in the T1.U and T1+ categories on the first three stages of the Dakar Rally 2023, the W2RC Committee has decided, in accordance with Article V1 13.3 of the regulations, to increase the maximum power of the T1.U cars.”
Audi’s Carlos Sainz Sr welcomed the decision – saying he was “happy about the measure” – after complaining before the event about a 100kg weight penalty being added to the renewable energy class’s cars.
Sainz, speaking to a group of media including Autosport, said: “They can measure it and see it. And so much that the Audi was running [at an advantage], it turns out it wasn't running so much. Welcome to that.
“They have all the data to measure what accelerates one car and another, and I imagine that if they give us 8kW, which is 11 horsepower, then they will have seen that we are missing something.
“I have always said that I don't want to carry more power, what I want is for the cars to be equal – the power and the weight.”
#207 Team Audi Sport Audi: Carlos Sainz Sr, Lucas Cruz
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Al-Attiyah was outraged by the measure, however, and appeared to accuse the organisation of favouritism on his social network channels.
“What a surprise to give our main rival 11 HP more!!!” he posted on Instagram with a photo of the FIA W2RC statement. “Thank you for killing the race early.”
Al-Attiyah has opened up his Dakar Rally lead to over 18 minutes, while Sainz is 32m55s behind after a disastrous Stage 3 in fourth overall.
Stephane Peterhansel is the best-placed Audi in third, 18m52s behind reigning champion Al-Attiyah.
Dakar 2023: Al-Attiyah extends lead as Loeb beats Peterhansel to Stage 4 win
Dakar 2023: Al-Attiyah triumphs on Stage 5 to open up lead
F1 qualifying results: Max Verstappen takes Australian GP pole
F1 qualifying results: Max Verstappen takes Australian GP pole F1 qualifying results: Max Verstappen takes Australian GP pole
F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice
F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice F1 results: Verstappen, Alonso fastest in Australian GP practice
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king How Porsche's Daytona hiccups evoked the premiere of its Group C king
Leclerc blames own driving and Sainz miscommunication for poor Australian F1 qualifying
Leclerc blames own driving and Sainz miscommunication for poor Australian F1 qualifying Leclerc blames own driving and Sainz miscommunication for poor Australian F1 qualifying
Alonso hails "best qualifying" of F1 2023 despite being behind Mercedes
Alonso hails "best qualifying" of F1 2023 despite being behind Mercedes Alonso hails "best qualifying" of F1 2023 despite being behind Mercedes
Colapinto loses F3 Australia sprint race win after technical infringement
Colapinto loses F3 Australia sprint race win after technical infringement Colapinto loses F3 Australia sprint race win after technical infringement
Supercars Albert Park: Kostecki wins under penalty cloud
Supercars Albert Park: Kostecki wins under penalty cloud Supercars Albert Park: Kostecki wins under penalty cloud
The positive future implications of Audi's creditable Dakar debut
The positive future implications of Audi's creditable Dakar debut The positive future implications of Audi's creditable Dakar debut
How Prodrive plans to use trial by Dakar to spur it to victory
How Prodrive plans to use trial by Dakar to spur it to victory How Prodrive plans to use trial by Dakar to spur it to victory
Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar
Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar Why Loeb has joined forces with an old enemy for Dakar
Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge
Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge Richards on Prodrive's new Dakar challenge
Why Alonso is already exceeding expectations in Dakar bid
Why Alonso is already exceeding expectations in Dakar bid Why Alonso is already exceeding expectations in Dakar bid
What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet
What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet
Why Alonso must heed Loeb's Dakar failures
Why Alonso must heed Loeb's Dakar failures Why Alonso must heed Loeb's Dakar failures
Why Loeb cannot be allowed to give up on Dakar
Why Loeb cannot be allowed to give up on Dakar Why Loeb cannot be allowed to give up on Dakar
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.