DACIA

 “Portugal is a region I really like, where I have fond memories, even if they’re starting to fade a bit. I drove just like in the WRC all week long; it’s the sort of terrain I enjoy, but the race wasn’t easy – we saw young drivers like Quintero and Ferreira really pushing hard. We’ve taken the lead in the championship. After the huge lead Nasser (Al Attiyah) built up in the Dakar, it feels good to be back in the mix so quickly. Everything went perfectly for me in Portugal; now we just need to make sure we keep it up.”

EB

• A trained engineer, Edouard Boulanger competed in his first Dakar on a motorbike in 2011 but did not finish.
• The Frenchman then specialised in navigation and became a talented mapman for the KTM and Toyota teams.
• He took the right-hand seat for the first time in 2014 with Australian Geoff Olholm (retirement) before joining Stéphane Peterhansel at Mini. For his first attempt in a leading vehicle, he won the 2021 Dakar. The Frenchmen continued to race together at Audi but with less success.
• Following the withdrawal of the German carmaker, this accomplished triathlete was selected by Nasser Al Attiyah for the 2024 season. It's a partnership working perfectly: three wins this year and a W2RC world championship title for both driver and co-driver.