The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally, one of the world's most challenging motorsport events, kicked off with an exciting Prologue where eager drivers lined up to face the 27 kilometers of timed section that would determine the starting positions for the upcoming stages.
The star of the day was Mattias Ekstrom of Audi. With a lead of over twenty seconds over the rookie Seth Quintero, Ekstrom not only secured the first position but also showcased his team's strong commitment to excelling in the competition.
While Ekstrom celebrated, other favorites like Carlos Sainz, a name synonymous with Dakar history, faced unexpected challenges. Despite his evident concentration and effort, Sainz managed only the eighth-best time, an uncharacteristic position for someone widely recognized for their Dakar experience.
In a race where every second counts, the over two-minute gap between Ekstrom and Sainz was both surprising and indicative of the unpredictability of the Dakar. This gap not only highlighted Ekstrom's impressive performance but also raised questions about the long-term strategies of experienced drivers like Sainz.
The Dakar is famous for its unpredictable nature, and this Prologue was no exception. Drivers like Sébastien Loeb and Stéphane Peterhansel found themselves in a constant battle to stay among the top ranks. On the other hand, competitors like Lucas Moraes and Nani Roma surprised by overtaking some of the more experienced drivers.
Krzysztof Holowczyc, with his MINI, delivered an outstanding performance, defying expectations by placing near the podium and relegating a veteran like Peterhansel to fifth position.
Drivers are now gearing up for the upcoming stages, where endurance, strategy, and adaptability will be key. For Ekstrom and Audi, this is a triumphant start; for others like Carlos Sainz, it's an opportunity to regroup and plan the long road ahead.
| Position | Drivers | Vehicle | Team | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. EKSTRÖM(SWE) E. BERGKVIST(SWE) | T1 | #207 - TEAM AUDI SPORT | 16:30 (1st) |
| 2 | S. QUINTERO(USA) D. ZENZ(DEU) | T1 | #216 - TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | +0:23 (2nd) |
| 3 | S. LOEB(FRA) F. LURQUIN(BEL) | T1 | #203 - BAHRAIN RAID XTREME | +0:38 (3rd) |
| 4 | M. BAUMGART(BRA) K. CINCEA(BRA) | T1 | #242 - X RALLY | +0:38 (4th) |
| 5 | C. BAUMGART(BRA) A. ANDREOTTI(BRA) | T1 | #245 - X RALLY | +0:44 (5th) |
| 6 | K. HOLOWCZYC(POL) L. KURZEJA(POL) | T1 | #217 - X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM | +0:44 (6th) |
| 7 | S. PETERHANSEL(FRA) E. BOULANGER(FRA) | T1 | #202 - TEAM AUDI SPORT | +0:45 (7th) |
| 8 | L. BAUD(FRA) L. BAUD(FRA) | T1 | #229 - OVERDRIVE RACING | +0:47 (8th) |
| 9 | M. PROKOP(CZE) V. CHYTKA(CZE) | T1 | #208 - ORLEN JIPOCAR TEAM | +0:49 (9th) |
| 10 | B. BARAGWANATH(ZAF) L. CREMER(ZAF) | T1 | #219 - CENTURY RACING FACTORY TEAM | +0:55 (10th) |
| 11 | G. CHICHERIT(FRA) A. WINOCQ(FRA) | T1 | #211 - OVERDRIVE RACING | +0:58 (11th) |
| 12 | N. AL-ATTIYAH(QAT) M. BAUMEL(FRA) | T1 | #200 - NASSER RACING | +1:01 (12th) |
| 15 | N. ROMA(ESP) A. HARO BRAVO(ESP) | T1 | #210 - FORD M-SPORT | +1:22 (15th) |
| 29 | C. SAINZ(ESP) L. CRUZ(ESP) | T1 | #204 - TEAM AUDI SPORT | +2:18 (29th) |
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Swedish driver joins Ford after leaving Audi
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