The first sustainable and solidarity motorcycle Dakar hits the road
Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz stand ready to tackle Dakar 2024, presenting the latest Audi RS Q e-tron at the Jarama Circuit. The rally raid is set to begin on January 5 in Saudi Arabia, and the duo approach the event with renewed energy and a keen eye on reliability after a demanding season.
A major effort has defined the year for the Audi squad. Of the three Audis owned, this iteration is viewed as the strongest yet. Suspension issues were a source of headaches, but the team charted a new path that yielded a more efficient, dependable vehicle. Early testing results have been encouraging, and there is a strong belief that the team can contest the rally down-to-the-wire in this edition, driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and resilience.
The Audi project marks a significant moment as it transitions away from endurance rallying towards Formula 1 in 2026. Audi’s track record since 2022 includes six stage wins and 22 podium finishes, underscoring a tradition of performance. The intention is to close this chapter with style while maintaining the competitive spirit that defines the brand and its drivers, including Sainz and Cruz.
“Audi never gives up. That tenacity is the sport’s essence. Emotions fluctuate, setbacks arise, yet the athlete finds a way to rebound and pursue new opportunities. Above all, a positive mindset can elevate a driver, shaping both leadership and performance,” Sainz notes. He also emphasizes the importance of lasting impression: a career defined by determination rather than mere peak results.
Lucas Cruz echoes the approach, explaining that the mindset mirrors the preparation and mindset of Dakar’s earliest days in 2010. Homework is complete, the team has carried out exhaustive testing, and the anticipation for a fresh challenge is real, Cruz says.
Change in FIA rules
The weight-to-power balance remains the most debated aspect from the last Dakar and across the latest races, particularly in relation to Audi’s FIA obligations. Sainz recalls voicing concerns about the kilogram gap, which at one point was around 100 kilos. Telemetry supported those concerns. In the previous year the team operated with lower power and higher weight, a combination that was widely seen as unfair. This season, adjustments have been made that increase power while balancing weight, delivering a more robust performance and a fairer competitive field, according to Sainz.
The FIA has introduced a rule modification affecting Audi’s electric power delivery, allowing an additional 15 kilowatts in 2024 and establishing a higher minimum weight. The adjustment brings Audi closer to the pace of the fastest competitors on the rally routes.
Recovering from an earlier Dakar injury, Sainz reported solid progress and a successful recovery. He confirmed that the planned tests in Arabia proceeded as intended and that the injury did not hinder physical readiness for the event.
He wants his Dakar with Audi
Sainz remains focused on claiming his Dakar crown with Audi, a team prepared to tackle one of the most demanding courses in rally history from day one. The path ahead will not be easy, and the Spaniard lists a handful of rivals as benchmarks, including Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sebastien Loeb, Stephane Peterhansel, Yazeed Al Rajhi, and Lucas Moraes, among others.
Reflecting on his career, Sainz recalls moments of triumph and trial alike. There have been bright, exhilarating days, and there have been difficult times that tested both body and spirit. The key is to keep the best memories close while looking ahead with optimism. The focus remains firmly on Dakar, and the drive to push forward is unyielding.
Team unity is central to the effort. Sainz emphasizes that victory in Dakar is a team achievement, rooted in solidarity and harmony. That collective spirit sends a clear message to rivals and strengthens the group’s resolve as the rally unfolds.
The overarching goal is clear: to surpass past successes and reclaim the leadership shown when the brand stood on the podium in the 2010, 2018, and 2020 Dakar editions. Audi aims to write a new chapter of triumph on one of rallying’s most storied stages, validating the decision to pursue a long-awaited victory in the Dakar after a period of change and evolution.
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