“I decided to return”

He will be forever associated with the Dakar. Stéphane Peterhansel has been a stalwart of the most famous rally-raid in the world for 30 years. He is the record holder for victories, with six on two-wheels and seven on four for a total of 13 and has produced more than his fair share of the greatest moments in the history of the event. “I can’t live without it”. ’Mister Dakar’ last won two years ago with Peugeot. But after the withdrawal of the French carmaker, the veteran spent a long time thinking about the future of his career. Always looking for a new challenge, he mused for quite a while about entering with his wife as his co-driver. But because she suffers from an inner ear issue, the project has been postponed for a year. So, Stéphane decided to return behind the wheel of a Mini, with David Castera. Peterhansel won the Dakar with the German X-Raid team in 2012 and 2013 and who is to say he can’t do it again this time?

‘‘I wasn’t sure to return at the start of the year. But as time went by, I began to miss the adrenaline rush and competition. I decided to return to racing with a team I know well. I have always had fond memories of Peru and its massive sand dunes. This lets us to rediscover the real Dakar spirit, with scenery similar to Mauritania. If we have to do a Dakar in just one country, Peru is definitely the best suited. The short stages will force the favourites to not lose time. Every delay and every time you get stuck will be costly. I have a lot of fun with a buggy and the car seems fast to me.”