DOHA: Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah will be behind the wheel when Qatar Red Bull Rally Team makes its debut in the 2013 Dakar Rally in South America.
The 2011 Dakar Rally champion will be joined by the 2010 champion Carlos Sainz and winner of the World Rally Championship in 1990 and 1992, when the event gets underway in January.
Al Attiyah, who won bronze medal in the Men’s skeet competition at the London Olympics this year, has had an input at every step of the project, having thought of the idea.
Al Attiyah said: “I’m under no illusion that coming to the Dakar with a completely new car is perhaps the toughest challenge I have ever faced at this race,” said the Qatari driver.
The entire Qatar Red Bull Rally Team are going to have to carry on the hard work that has got us to this stage in these few weeks before the race and continue that effort during the actual Dakar.”
“My ambition right now is just to reach the finish in this new car.
“If we make it that far then everyone involved can be proud of the job they have done,” he added.
The Qatari’s co-pilot will be Lucas Cruz of Spain, while Timo Gottschalk will be keeping his eyes on the road for Sainz.
Interestingly, Cruz has also won the Dakar Rally alongside Sainz, while Gottschalk tasted victory with Al Attiyah as co-pilot.
Both Al Attiyah and Sainz will need to be in perfect unison with their new machines if they are to successfully navigate the Dakar’s 8,000km course that runs throught the deserts of Peru, Argentina and Chile.
The innovative concept of the brand new Qatar Red Bull Rally Team car will help both drivers’ cause.
Al Attiyah, and Sainz have both had their say into the manufacturing of the car for the upcoming desert challenge.
Along with the strong bodywork with European precision engineering, both drivers’ will be happy with their cars.
The testing of the car has been a long process for the drivers and the engineers.
The team will be eager for January 5, when the Dakar Rally gets underway and the team will know for sure what result the Qatar Red Bull Rally Team will be capable of achieving on their debut Dakar.
THE PENINSULA
