Dakar 2023 – Stage 5: Second victory for Nasser Al-Attiyah
At the end of the 375-kilometer special stage that awaited the competitors of this Dakar 2023 for the fifth stage, it was Nasser Al-Attiyah's Toyota that finished at the top of the leaderboard for the second time since the beginning of the race.
The duel between favorites continued on the roads of the Dakar. For this second loop around Ha’il, the competitors had to face the first 100% sand stage of this rally. Besides the sporting aspect, it is behind the scenes that today’s news was written, as a regulation change set the Saudi bivouac on fire.
The reason for this is the increase in power granted to the vehicles in the T1U category, which includes Audi, in order to balance the performance with the vehicles in the T1+ category, which notably includes Toyota Hilux and BRX Hunter. This increase in power amounts to 8 kW, which is equivalent to 10.8 horsepower.
So it is with resentment against this favor granted to their rivals that the leading duo overall, Nasser Al-Attiyah/Matthieu Baumel, set off this morning. After a discreet start to the stage, the defending champions picked up the pace towards the end and emerged as the clear winners of the day. In addition to claiming a stage victory, the Toyota number 200 solidifies its first place overall.
Behind, the second place is no longer occupied by the other Toyota of Yazeed Al-Rajhi but by Stéphane Peterhansel’s Audi. Thanks to his third time of the day, the Frenchman gains a position and only has Al-Attiyah in his sights if he wants to secure a fifteenth overall victory in the Dakar.
Between these two leaders, it is Carlos Sainz who achieved the second best time in this stage. Fourth overall, just over half an hour behind, El Matador has not yet said goodbye to a potential fourth victory in the Dakar.
Finally, Sébastien Loeb’s day was once again marked by troubles. Yesterday’s winner, the nine-time world rally champion, rolled over after a dune about a hundred kilometers from the finish line. Luckily, Loeb and his co-driver Fabian Lurquin were able to continue and finish about twenty minutes behind Al-Attiyah.
Stage 5 ranking
| Concurrents | Teams | Times / Gaps | |
| 1 | Al-Attiyah / Baumel | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 04:13:23 |
| 2 | Sainz / Cruz | Team Audi Sport | +00:01:57 |
| 3 | Peterhansel / Boulanger | Team Audi Sport | +00:03:44 |
| 4 | Al Rajhi / Von Zitzewitz | Overdrive Racing | +00:08:43 |
| 5 | Chicherit / Winocq | GCK Motorsport | +00:11:09 |
General classification
| Concurrents | Teams | Times / Gaps | |
| 1 | Al-Attiyah / Baumel | Toyota Gazoo Racing | 20:47:36 |
| 2 | Peterhansel / Boulanger | Team Audi Sport | +00:22:36 |
| 3 | Al Rajhi / Von Zitzewitz | Overdrive Racing | +00:27:01 |
| 4 | Sainz / Cruz | Team Audi Sport | +00:34:52 |
| 5 | Lategan / Cummings | Toyota Gazoo Racing | +00:57:58 |
