2024-01-02 08:52:00
From the height of his experience (8 Dakars as driver, 8 as manager), Jean-Marc Fortin analyzed the forces present and pointed out his favorites.
“I think the ultra favorites are Audi. They have an obligation to win with their excellent drivers: Stéphane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz et Mattias Ekström. Afterwards, there will be the other favorites. BRX with Sébastien Loeb and Nasser Al-Attiyah of course. Then there will be the Toyotas in ambush… You know, I like this role of ugly duckling who will steal victory at the last place from all the favorites. I like that as a story.”
Another story that might well get people talking is that concerning the internal rivalry between Al Attiyah and Loeb at BRX.
“I think the two drivers are roughly at the same level, plus with equivalent cars, it’s going to be very close,” analyzes Fortin. “I wouldn’t want to be the team manager, that’s all I can tell you because I know that there is one who will play with the other. The Arab is quite deceitful (sic). And I believe that Loeb with the track record he has is not going to let this happen. So it will already be difficult to manage internally. Yes, it will make for great stories like we always have at the Dakar.
They are two great champions. There is one who has the advantage in terms of prize list in the rally-raid. But it will be something complicated. And then the Audis on top of that. So there you have it, I think it’s maybe ultimately something that will work to our advantage.”
A scenario that Fortin keeps in the back of his mind. “What people can wish for me is a podium, that’s for sure. But why not pull off the heist of the century? This is what we will try to do“, concluded the Overdrive manager.
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