“Back in the Mitsubishi Pajero that took part in the 1999 Dakar”

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe clearly has a taste for nature and wide-open spaces, with a passion for mountain climbing and exploring the world’s deserts, many of which he has managed to visit. He also has a love of classic cars, having taken part in the Mille Miglia aboard one of the original and very beautiful W194 Mercedes Gullwing race cars. Additionally, he was for several years Chairman of Formula One, enjoying the collaboration with Bernie Ecclestone. Peter had accompanied his son Nicolas several times on the Dakar, where he participated five times on a bike and twice in an SSV. So, it came as no surprise that when he heard about the Dakar opening to classic vehicles, he became the perfect candidate for this race, and he participated for the first time on the Dakar Classic 2022. Like his son, he relies on the support and assistance of the team, run by ex-factory rider David Casteu. For the 2023 edition, he has changed his co-driver and will now be counting on Jean-Michel Gayte, himself a distinguished competitor on the 2022 Dakar Classic.

“My participation in the Dakar Classic 2022 has only confirmed my interest in this rally, which remains the most exciting and challenging rally-raid in its category. As in this type of rally, you are not directly confronting the other participants, but you are really competing with yourself, the event creates a unique atmosphere of collegiality and friendship culminating in the night of the marathon stage. This year I will again be participating with my Mitsubishi Pajero that participated in the 1999 Granada/Dakar and has undergone a complete mechanical revision, but I will be driving it in its original Dakar livery. What's new this year is that my oldest son Andres will also be participating in the Dakar Classic with another Pajero and with Nicolas in his SSV, so we will be three family members competing in Dakar 2023."