The Audi RS Q e-tron programme may nonetheless have some gasoline left even after Audi ends their Dakar Rally division following the 2024 race. Talking with SoyMotor.com, Sven Quandt “didn’t hesitate to reply ‘sure’” when requested if he want to assume custody of the autos and subject them beneath the Q Motorsport banner.
Q Motorsport, based by Quandt alongside his sons Thomas and Tobias, serves as Audi’s manufacturing facility group. Quandt additionally runs X-raid Workforce, which has a restricted partnership with Mini to race in T1 and one with Yamaha for T3 competitors.
In mid-July, Audi Motorsport head Rolf Michl confirmed the producer would finish a number of programmes together with the Dakar arm and manufacturing facility assist for GT3 buyer groups as they put together to enter Method One as an engine provider in 2026. 2024 was already slated to be the top of a three-year contract to function the group.
In Audi’s début season, Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel, and Carlos Sainz all received a stage on the 2022 Dakar Rally. Peterhansel ultimately claimed the Abu Dhabi Desert Problem to grow to be the primary electrical automobile general winner, whereas Sainz set the quickest general time on the Rallye du Maroc.
Nevertheless, 2023 has been a catastrophe by comparability as they struggled to maintain tempo with Toyota and Prodrive at Dakar earlier than Peterhansel and Sainz crashed out. The debacle sparked some doubt on whether or not Audi would even return for 2024, however the group regrouped for testing in Might earlier than coming into this weekend’s Baja España Aragón. Nonetheless, Audi’s difficulties continued in Spain as Peterhansel and Ekström each suffered electrical issues on the second and remaining day on Saturday.
Audi at the moment fields the RS Q e-tron E2, which competes within the T1.U “Final” subcategory for electrical T1 vehicles. Quandt defined to SoyMotor.com that he wouldn’t wish to discard the car after investing a lot sources and energy into growing it, and added that Q Motorsport and Audi have already “held talks” about transferring the vehicles although nothing has been confirmed.
After Spain, Audi will run the Rallye du Maroc on 13–18 October earlier than coming into the 2024 Dakar Rally which begins on 5 January.
