Inform Diario MARCA this morning (NOT OFFICIAL). Carlos Sainz, Stéphane Peterhansel and Mattias Ekström will be the three men to defend the Audi colors at the Dakar Rally. The German giant will be in the toughest competition in the world with its new hybrid prototype.
The new T1 prototype of the German firm will see the light at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It will be a few weeks before, just after the Rally of Andalucía, in mid-May, when Audi will announce, in principle, its line-up of competitors officially for the Dakar.
Sainz and Peterhansel were part of the Mini X-Raid team in the last edition of the event, with victory for the Frenchman. Without a doubt, the Germans have opted for a very strong line-up, with people who know the terrain and vehicle development at the highest level.
Mattias Ekström, meanwhile, has been a house driver for many years. He has many years of experience behind him with Audi (ABT team) both in the DTM (champion in 2004 and 2007) and in Rallycross (champion in 2016 with the S1).
The brand will return to the world of rallying, but with a 100% electric prototype. The machine will have an electric transmission with a high-voltage battery and a high-efficiency power converter. In this way, Audi becomes the first manufacturer to develop a concept for the Dakar. Other manufacturers, such as Toyota or Prodrive, have already got to work with their prototypes also for 2022.
Despite their exit from Formula E at the end of the seventh season they will maintain the engine support program. From the 2019-2020 season they deliver their power unit to the Virgin Racing team. On the other hand, Audi has announced that they are preparing to enter the new category of LMDh, which includes the iconic races of the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 hours of Le Mans.
