In his roaring sixties, the Franche-Comté driver returns to the famous rally-raid. Since his discovery of the event in 1988 and before skipping the previous edition, he had only missed two: in 1994, due to new regulations which had forced Yamaha to withdraw, and in 2008, when the organizer ASO had canceled the competition the day before the start, the Mauritanian stages being under threat of action jihadists. This decision had also sounded the death knell for theAfrica because the marathon rally was expatriated for a decade in America of the South then, from 2020, in the sands ofSaudi Arabia. In 35 participations, “Monsieur Dakar” has won six times in motorcycle racing and eight times in car racing. A double record. For his return, Stéphane Peterhansel lines up at the wheel of a Defender in the “Stock” category, that is to say an improved production car. A big change for someone who was used to handling prototypes (Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Mini, Audi, etc.) capable of winning. In this interview with Tangwall Campagin, he explains the reasons for this choice with happiness and passion before the big departure on January 3.
The Tangwall Campagin. Why this new adventure at 60?
Stéphane Peterhansel. I have always loved the adrenaline of racing. I missed her a little last year. But what really motivated me to come back was this program with Defender. It’s a bit of a return to basics with a brand linked to adventure. In a way, I’m coming full circle in an environment that I love. Because the Dakar is a bit like a family. All the elements were there to come back with pleasure.
You will be in the “Stock” category, reserved for improved production cars…
Of my 35 Dakars, I have done 25 in a car, including 24 times in a prototype. That is to say at the wheel of a competition car specially designed for the Dakar, with a tubular chassis and an engine moved for the center of gravity, in particular. In the “Stock” category, we are close to a production model. Of course, we will never fight with the prototypes, but the capabilities of the Defender surprised me with a fabulous engine and good suspensions. It’s more pleasant than I imagined for riding in the desert.
Paradoxically, the engine of the Defender in the Dakar version is less powerful than the standard one. For what ?
The power is effectively limited by the regulations to allow a manufacturer who arrives in this new “Stock” category to be able to enter even without having a very powerful engine in its catalog. Instead of having more than 630 horsepower, we will have just under 400 horsepower. It remains an engine which has a real good character with a lot of torque. And when driving in dunes, what’s important is to have torque rather than power.
What the general public doesn’t necessarily know is that the speed is limited…
Exact. We are limited to 170 km/h. Which still leaves quite a few possibilities for using the engine!
Is it easier to drive than a prototype?
Yes, it’s less physical. The car is more fragile. To bring it to the end, you have to take care of it. You can’t go into holes at crazy speed, for example, to save the suspension arms. It is therefore less physical than a prototype and more comfortable. On the other hand, it will take more time to complete the steps and you will have to stay focused for more hours.
Is it true that the only personal car you’ve ever owned is a… Defender?
Yes. This is a gift from my wife for my 50th birthday. I like this car with its adventurer look. I use it a lot. We are often in Corsicafor example, on fairly narrow paths. The Defender allows you to do both off-road (“off-road”, Editor’s note) and on the road, being transported with great comfort.
Has your 2025 station wagon done you any good?
It was already a great opportunity to spend the end of year holidays with family and to celebrate the birthdays of my wife who is on January 2 and my son who is on January 3. This break allowed me to return to my first love: for twenty years, I had not spent so many days on a motorcycle, which is really my first passion. I had the chance, at the end of January, to follow in the footsteps of the old Dakar, in Mauritania and Senegal, on a Yamaha.
So you haven’t been back there since the Dakar was canceled in 2008…
That’s it. I was also surprised by the welcome in Mauritania. The country is still riding the Dakar. The rally raid is on everyone’s minds there, it was an exceptional event for them. It was a good feeling to ride again on the Mauritanian tracks or in Senegal among the baobabs, and ending on the beach before going to Lake Rose. I did other motorcycle races this year, like the Enduro du Touquet, and I walked around the UNITED STATES and in Bosnia.
“I still like the clock and the competitive spirit”
The route for the next Dakar forms a loop. Isn’t that frustrating?
When we look at a map and when we are a little adventurous, we want to leave from point A to reach point B. But Saudi Arabia is still very vast and very varied in terms of piloting. So we don’t have the impression of making a loop. Besides, we don’t go to the same place twice, it’s far from boring.
Don’t take offense at this question, but how did you experience your change of decade this summer (he celebrated his 60th birthday in August)?
It’s inevitable. It’s starting to add up, but I’m not the oldest. Carlos Sainz is a few years older (theSpanish aged 63 won his last Dakar two years ago). Having projects like riding for a new manufacturer feels good and helps you stay in shape. Of course, the wounds from my motorcycle days are reawakening. But other than that, not much has changed moving up to the top ten.
Do you have visibility beyond this year?
Defender has committed to three years to participate in the Dakar. I committed to them for as many years, but with the possibility of leaving if it doesn’t suit me.
Some do the rally-raid in the “Classic” category, on old cars. Would this tempt you in the long run?
The Dakar “Classic” is more of a test of regularity. For now, I still like the clock and trying to make the most of what we have in our hands. I still have that competitive spirit. The “Classic”, I’m not quite ready for it yet.
