Video: Here’s how you get the nickname 'Mr. Dakar'

To compete in one Dakar Rally is an achievement worth bragging about. Audi’s Stéphane Peterhansel is on his 36^th. And has won it more than anyone else. That’s how you get to certified legend status and the nickname ‘Mr. Dakar’.

You don’t earn that sort of nickname for nothing. You’ve got to give your life and surrender your body to the world’s toughest off-road race. Peterhansel has. Audi’s Sport’s flying Frenchman has raced the testing off-road rally 36 times, during which he’s stood upon the podium’s top step on a jaw-dropping 14 occasions – eight times on a motorbike and six behind the wheel of a car. This is a man of many skills. He’s also been runner-up three times and finished third twice, which means he’s bothered the podium in more than half the Dakar Rallies he’s entered. And spent over half his life entering them.

The 2024 Dakar rally saw Mr Dakar notch up his 50th stage victory in cars (he also has 33 on a bike) by emerging from an intense battle with fellow French rallying legend Sébastien Loeb. Peterhansel now shares the record for Dakar stage wins with the great Ari Vatanen - one that’s stood for two decades. But the Dakar Rally is a cruel beast that takes no prisoners.  And it takes a lot more than winning to be an effective member of a Dakar team. As this year’s race has proved.

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*This vehicle shown here is the Rally Dakar vehicle that is not available as a production model. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt. The Audi RS Q e-tron combines an electric drivetrain with an energy converter system comprising a TFSI engine and generator.