Nasser Al-Attiyah is the largest free agent within the rally raid market right now, and any workforce lucky sufficient to get his providers for the 2024 Dakar Rally onwards may also obtain a high quality navigator in Mathieu Baumel. Talking to Auto Hebdo, Baumel revealed he and his driver determined to check the market with the hope of touchdown someplace that would supply them with a aggressive and steady journey.
“Our selection is defined by the truth that we had no actual long-term certainties with Toyota,” Baumel defined. “I believe the Hilux is clearly nonetheless very able to combating for victory at Dakar 2024, however that didn’t assure us the continuation of what I need to do with Nasser.”
Their present contract with Toyota Gazoo Racing expires on 31 August concurrent with the Desafío Ruta 40, which is about to be their ultimate begin for TGR barring an extension and ends the following day. Al-Attiyah had declared after final weekend’s Baja España Aragón that it might be his ultimate Baja as a TGR driver, although later clarified that he stays centered on clinching the World Rally-Raid Championship with them within the meantime.
Moreover a possible return to TGR, Al-Attiyah has additionally acquired affords from the adjoining Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Prodrive, and M-Sport. A number of studies have said Al-Attiyah will be a part of Prodrive for the Rallye du Maroc in October adopted by Dakar.
Though TGR is the highest outfit within the W2RC right now, their benefit over the sphere has weathered over time. Prodrive, the following closest workforce to them, has been inconsistent when it comes to reliability however in any other case shows spectacular tempo with Sébastien Loeb and is about to companion with Dacia for the 2025 Dakar Rally onwards. M-Sport and their Ford Ranger T1+ are new faces who made their début in Aragón.
Moreover job safety, cash may decide how dedicated an outfit is to a driver. In keeping with DH Les Sports activities, Loeb is about to be paid roughly €2 million by Dacia, greater than double what Al-Attiyah receives from Toyota; Loeb had been in talks with Toyota however they have been unable to fulfill his excessive asking worth.
Even when the divorce goes by means of, Baumel and Al-Attiyah would definitely go away Toyota with a legacy not like every other. The duo gained the Dakar Rally thrice in 2019, 2022, and 2023, the inaugural W2RC in 2022, and its predecessor FIA World Cup for Cross-Nation Rallies in 2015, 2017, and 2021.
“We’re filled with motivation and are able to tackle new challenges,” Baumel concluded.
Ought to they go away, their Toyota tenure will finish with the Desafío Ruta 40 on 28 August by means of 1 September. The Rallye du Maroc, which might be their maiden begin for a brand new workforce, is scheduled for 13–18 October and would be the ultimate race of the W2RC season. Al-Attiyah leads each the W2RC and FIA World Cup for Cross-Nation Bajas standings, although the latter’s upcoming race in Poland clashes with the DR 40; the following Baja, held in Portugal, will probably be on 26–28 October.
The 2024 Dakar Rally begins on 5 January.
