Nicolas Fuchs: “I like the Dakar and I like the pressure”

January 4 ^th 2019 - 21:58

After having nearly finished in the top 10 on his first participation (12th), before being a member of this exclusive club until two days before the finish last year, Nicolas Fuchs firmly intends to be battling with the very best on his third participation. On this 100% Peruvian Dakar, the country’s standard-bearer shoulders a sporting responsibility that is motivating him to perform.

“It’s a special Dakar for me, a 100% Dakar in Peru, for all my friends and family, my people and my country. It is nice to drive in front of all these guys and feel the Dakar spirit with all these people. It was a crazy year, last year. I had to stop the Dakar in eighth position, in a good position, only two days before the finish of the Dakar. Then I went to the Baja Inka in Peru and broke the car as well as the engine too, so it was not a good year. But now it’s a new year. I have a new car with all my team and all my people and I think we’re ready for a good fight. I will try to get into the top 10. I think it’s possible. I need to drive carefully to finish the Dakar and come back to Lima; I think that’s the best option to take. It’s a lot of pressure being a favourite in Peru. But it’s good pressure too: I like the Dakar and I like the pressure. I expect to approach it carefully and not have any problems. It’s a very nice rally, but it’s very difficult. It’s the third year that I’ll be doing it, so I think I just need to go step-by-step. I am alone with my team because we only have one car but we have plenty of assistance meaning we should do better than stopping the Dakar this time".