Peugeot has confirmed that Carlos Sainz and Cyril Despres will spearhead its Dakar Rally return in 2015. We spoke about Sainz and were quite sure of him being in the drivers line-up and we also showed you the video which confirmed the French car manufacturers return.
Peugeot said that they will be competing in the January marathon event as a factory entry for the first time after 25 years.
"Inevitably, the decision recalls a particularly successful period in the history of the French team which made an indelible mark on the Dakar by winning the legendary competition four years running from 1987 until 1990, first with the 205 T16 Grand Raid, then with the equally iconic 405 T16 Grand Raid," Peugeot said in its announcement of the program.
The 2015 Dakar cross country consists of a gruelling 9,000 kms through Argentina, Chile and Bolivia before concluding in the city of Buenos Aires.
The team will return to the event with a car based on the Peugeot 2008 Crossover, building on its experience with the 208 Pikes Peak Hill Climb car which was driven by Sebastien Loeb.
"The Dakar will naturally be the chief focus of Peugeot's new, multi-year program which will also include a certain number of other events in order to help it to prepare for the annual South American marathon," Peugeot said.
For 2010 Dakar winner Carlos Sainz, it marks his first foray with Peugeot and he said, "I have often competed against Peugeot in the past and I know how passionate they are about motorsport,"
Despres will be switching to four wheels after five Dakar victories in the bikes category and he mentioned that it was a natural process. He went on to say that "When you do the Dakar on a motorbike, you can spend up to 10 hours on your own every day, so you have plenty of time to reflect on things."
Testing of the Dakar rally car will begin in June and more details will spill out at the Beijing Motorshow.
