Dakar 2023 hasn’t even started yet and there is already controversy. The reason: the regulation of weight and power of cars. Top-class combustion engines (T1+) like the champion Toyota of Al-Attiyahor Bahrainis like Loeb’s, have a minimum weight of 2,000 kilos. However, the The FIA has decided that the minimum weight of hybrid or electric cars, such as the Audi of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, is 2,100 kilograms. 100 more kilos. Besides, The power of the signature car with four rings has been reduced by almost 30 kW. Audi considers that party at a disadvantage.
The Audi RS Q e-Tron E2as an electric prototype, you can have everything instant power delivery. The FIA believes the Audi is a faster car, even though it hasn’t won the Dakar and it’s only in its second year of competition.
As such, the FIA decided to impose these limits to equalize the benefits. However, the official reason is to reduce costs, due to the large investment that Audi must make to reduce its weight to 2,000 kilograms.
“Last year we had a minimum weight of 2,000 kg. We were way over the top (2,200 kg) because this was our first test of this technology. It’s not easy to build a 2,000-kilo car with a battery pack and three electric motors”, recalls Carlos Sainz. In one year, Audi managed to reduce its weight for this Dakar 2023 close to 2,100 and has to continue doing so for the next editions. But this regulation prevents it.
“We will have some strength. That is something that is difficult to understand”, highlighted the ‘Matador’. “I am surprised that the regulations do not help someone like Audi who had the courage to enter this type of sustainable car”he added weeks ago.
More time with more weight than its rivals in a stage
The truth is that the Audi has an electric motor, but it has a combustion engine with a lower cost, because its only function is to charge the batteries that feed the electric motors that move the car. Therefore, petrol cars will see how their weight is further reduced throughout the special.
“At one stage we can start with about 15kg less fuel than them, but before the halfway point of this special we will be equal. And at the end of the special, they were 100 kg less than us. They will lose weight for a long time”, explained Cruzwhere it is not worth making an excuse that the Audi has an automatic transmission: “The regulation allows them to make an automatic change. It is your choice not to. They limit our power and we can go faster”, replied Lucas.
“I do not regret it”
“They will be penalized in size but they will come out ahead in performance,” Toyota team principal Glyn Hall said. Dakar director David Castera thinks the same: “They’ve lost almost 100 kilos compared to their weight last year, they have very good reliability, they’ve won stages with the new car. I don’t feel sorry for them. They’re ready to win.”
How do you notice 100 extra kilos in the car?
How can you notice 100 extra kilos? Cruz replied to MD. “The car has less agility, less traction, more expensive brakes, less everything to you,” said co-driver Carlos Sainz.
What Audi doesn’t understand is that a brand that opts for this complex and innovative renewable technology is at a disadvantage, because it can make it difficult for other brands that want to opt for renewable energy and take the plunge that. “Giving an advantage would not be fair. The easiest thing is to match the weight and power. All have the same. If what you want is to promote alternative energy and you have a brand that has spent a lot on a project, what you can’t do is put sticks in its wheels”, concludes Lucas.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
