TGR’s Nasser and Mathieu consolidate overall lead with Stage 4 win

Qatar’s Nasser Al-Attiyah of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and France’s Mathieu Baumel took victory in the fourth stage of the 2023 Rallye Sonora, driving their GR DKR Hilux T1+ to a remarkable finish, 3 minutes 51 seconds ahead of the second fastest crew. Stage 4 featured a challenging course of 248 km long, with links of 237 km. Toyota Corsairs Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk finished third in today’s stage, further demonstrating the impressive performance of Toyota vehicles throughout the rally.

This latest victory follows a string of good results for Al-Attiyah and Baumel in previous stages. The duo took victory in Stage 1, finished second in Stage 2 and set the third fastest time in Stage 3, despite facing a fuel pressure problem which affected the performance of the car. Their consistent performance in the GR DKR Hilux T1+, which previously brought them victories in the 2022 and 2023 Dakar Rally, has cemented their position at the top of the Sonora Rally standings with just one stage remaining. Al Rajhi and Gottschalk now lead with 7 min 22 seconds.

The final stage, the 5th, will be the shortest of the rally, with a distance of 139 kilometers, with a total of 237 kilometers of links, which will take the teams to the finish in San Luis. The terrain between these locations features a mix of challenging desert scenery, with fast sections, sandy tracks and rocky outcrops. The diverse range of landscapes will undoubtedly test navigational skills, vehicle performance and equipment adaptability.

The 2023 Sonora Rally marks the first year the event has been included on the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) calendar. The race has proven to be a worthy addition, offering tough terrain that resembles parts of the iconic Dakar Rally and providing an exciting challenge for competitors.

Reflecting on the 2023 Sonora Rally so far, Al-Attiyah and Baumel have shown their experience, determination and ability to overcome technical issues. Their success at each stage has earned them crucial points, putting them in a strong position as they compete in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).

With only the final stage remaining, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Al-Attiyah and Baumel are ready to defend their W2RC title. The rally’s conclusion is scheduled for Friday, April 28, promising an intense battle as teams aim for victory, possibly setting up a tight fight in the remaining two rounds of the W2RC 2023 calendar.

QUOTES:
Alain Dujardyn, TGR W2RC Team Manager: “It was great to see our car back on the top step of the stage podium, with Nasser and Mathieu winning Stage 4 of the event. After the small fuel pressure issue we experienced yesterday, the Dakar it was back to business as usual, winning the GR DKR Hilux T1+, and we’re looking forward to the final stage. As things stand, the team has gained valuable points heading into the W2RC, with another opportunity to rack up more points at stage 5”.

Nasser Al-Attiyah: “It was another long and challenging stage, not only for us, but for the whole field. But we did a good job, winning the stage again, and getting five very valuable points for the championship. We enjoyed the stage, but there was a lot of dust which made the passage difficult. We were stuck behind a car for a long time, but eventually we stayed and tried to push. The final stage is short, but we still have to try to win it for the sake of our championship.”

Mathieu Baumel: “The stage was good today; we started as the third car on the road, which allowed us to follow some clues and adjust our pace accordingly. Nasser drove very well today, despite a slow puncture in the last 100km. It’s never easy here in Mexico, especially on the off-piste sections, where the vegetation makes it easy to lose the route. Tomorrow, we will try to manage our pace, especially because we will open the stage again”.

RESULTS OF THE 4TH STAGE:

CLASSIFICATIONS AFTER THE 4TH STAGE: