2023 Dakar stage 5 consisted mainly of dunes and sand. The 643 km stage was split into a 270 km liaison with 373 km of timed section. Competitors tackled small dunes and camel grass, before they entered open spaces dotted with dunes. The sand was soft and posed a real threat of racers getting stuck for a long time.

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More Drama

The 2023 Dakar is just five stages in, but it there has been a large deal of drama already. Overnight the FIA made the decision to grant the Audis an additional 8 kW of power. This was based on the pace of the three cars over the opening stages. This news was not met with any form of happiness from rival teams.

The FIA statement read: “Following the data analysis of the vehicles entered in the T1.U and T1+ categories on the first three stages of the Dakar Rally 2023, the W2RC Committee has decided, in accordance with Article V1 13.3 of the regulations, to increase the maximum power of the T1.U cars.”

Race leader Nasser Al-Attiyah commented on Instagram: “What a surprise to give our main rival 11 hp more!!! Thank you for killing the race early.”

Fast Starter

It was Seb Loeb (BRX Hunter) who opened up the stage after his win on the previous day. The Frenchman is fast when his steed holds together or manages to avoid punctures. At the first check point only 18 seconds separated Henk Lategan (Toyota Gazoo Racing), the stage leader, from Loeb in fifth. Between the two men were Stéphane Peterhansel (Audi Sport), Nasser Al-Attiyah (TGR) and Carlos Sainz (Audi Sport). Mattias Ekström (Audi) boasted the sixth best time after 37 km making it three Audis in the top six.

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Taking Charge

After 140 km, Peterhansel was the quickest, leading Loeb by 20 seconds and Al-Attiyah by 22. Sainz was not far behind his Audi teammate. Overall race leader Al-Attiyah was the quickest as they passed the 200 km mark 10 seconds quicker than Loeb and a further 12 quicker than Peterhansel.

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The Qatari driver really made a charge and opened up his lead over the pursuing pack as the stage progressed. Sainz overtook Loeb with Peterhansel occupying fourth. Then bad luck struck Loeb yet again. The BRX driver ground to a halt and lost a quarter of an hour before resuming racing.

Stage Winner

When all the front runners crossed the finish line it was Al-Attiyah who claimed the 2023 Dakar stage 5 win. He took the stage with a two-minute lead over Sainz. Peterhansel was classified third. Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing) was fourth ahead of Henk Lategan. The third TGR crew of Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy was seventh.

Al-Attiyah extends his overall lead. Peterhansel has overhauled Al Rajhi to take over second place. Loeb has climbed back into the top ten overall after yesterday’s win and a quick start to today’s challenge.

General classification after 2023 Dakar Stage 5

  1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (Toyota Gazoo Racing) 20 hr 47 min 36 sec
  2. Stephane Peterhansel (Audi Sport) +22 min 36 sec
  3. Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Hilux) +27 min 01 sec
  4. Carlos Sainz (Audi Sport) +34 min 52 sec
  5. Henk Lategan (Toyota Gazoo Racing) +57 min 58 sec
  6. Lucas Moraes (Overdrive Racing) +01 hr 01 min 43 sec
  7. Giniel de Villiers (Toyota Gazoo Racing) +01 hr 07 min 57 sec
  8. Mattias Ekstrom (Audi Sport) +01 hr 01 min 43 sec
  9. Romain Dumas (Rebellion Racing) +01 hr 52 min 10 sec
  10. Sebastien Loeb (BRX) +01 hr 53 min 41 sec