TGR’s Nasser and Mathieu cement overall lead with victory in Stage 4

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and Mathieu Baumel of France, achieved victory in Stage 4 of the 2023 Sonora Rally, driving their GR DKR Hilux T1+ to a remarkable finish, 3min 51sec ahead of the second-fastest crew. Stage 4 presented a challenging 248km-long route, with liaisons totalling 237km. Toyota privateers Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk placed third in today's stage, further demonstrating the impressive performance of Toyota vehicles throughout the rally.

This latest win follows a series of strong results for Al-Attiyah and Baumel in the previous stages. The duo secured victory in Stage 1, finished second in Stage 2, and achieved the third-fastest time in Stage 3, despite facing a fuel pressure problem that impacted the car's performance. Their consistent performance in the GR DKR Hilux T1+, which previously brought them victories in both the 2022 and 2023 Dakar Rallies, has solidified their position at the top of the Sonora Rally standings with just one stage remaining. They now lead Al Rajhi and Gottschalk by 7min 22sec.

The final stage, Stage 5, will be the shortest of the rally, covering a distance of 139km, with liaisons totalling 237km, bringing the crews to the finish in San Luis. The terrain between these locations presents a mix of challenging desert landscapes, featuring fast sections, sandy tracks, and rocky outcrops. The diverse range of landscapes will undoubtedly test the teams' navigational skills, vehicle performance, and adaptability.

The 2023 Sonora Rally marks the first year the event is included in 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 a thrilling challenge for competitors.

Reflecting on the 2023 Sonora Rally thus far, Al-Attiyah and Baumel have showcased their expertise, determination, and ability to overcome technical issues. Their success in 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 poised to defend their title in the W2RC. The conclusion of the rally is set for Friday, April 28, promising an intense battle as the teams push for victory, possibly setting up an intense fight at the two remaining rounds in the 2023 W2RC calendar.

QUOTES:
Alain Dujardyn, TGR W2RC Team Principal: "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 problem we experienced yesterday, it was back to business as usual for the Dakar-winning GR DKR Hilux T1+, and we are looking forward to the final stage. As things stand, the team has gained valuable points towards the W2RC, with another chance to bank more points in Stage 5.”

Nasser Al-Attiyah: “It was another long and challenging stage, not just for us, but for the entire field. But we did a good job, winning the stage again, and gaining five very valuable points towards the championship. We enjoyed the stage, but there was a lot of dust, making it difficult to pass. We were stuck behind one car for a long time, but eventually we got by and tried to push. The final stage is a short one, but we still need 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, allowing us to follow some tracks, and adjust our pace accordingly. Nasser drove very well today, despite a slow puncture over the last 100km. It is never easy here in Mexico, especially in the off piste sections, where the vegetation makes it easy to miss the route. Tomorrow, we’ll try to manage our pace, especially as we’ll be opening the stage again.”

STAGE 4 RESULTS:

STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 4: