Mendois Martin Bonnet on the Dakar: “This first week is flawless!”

L'équipe Polaris, avec Xavier de Soultrait et Martin Bonnet (à gauche). DR – FRAYMEDIA

On this rest day halfway through the 2024 Dakar, we joined Mendois Martin Bonnet, co-pilot of Xavier de Soultrait, in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The SLR crew (Sébastien Loeb Racing) on ​​Polaris is third in the provisional classification, in the SSV category.

The 2024 Dakar started very well for Martin Bonnet, co-driver of Xavier de Soultrait. The victory in the prologue set the tone for this “very good first week”, despite a mechanical problem on a special stage and a broken gearbox. For their second Dakar together, Martin Bonnet concedes: "The vehicle is more efficient than that of last year, and between us, the understanding is perfect, whether in navigation or& nbsp;in speed control. In navigation, we made no mistakes. Sébastien Loeb comes to debrief with us in the evening, we are well prepared. This week, it's flawless, rejoices the Mendois.

This Saturday, January 13, 2024, halfway through the rally-raid, it's time to rest, after an incredible 48-hour stage. "We did 600 km in the dunes of the Saudi desert, with a small bivouac without assistance in the middle of the desert! We had our military ration, our little stove; it's a moment that will remain in our memories. This was the special stage that should not be missed. And we won it! That wasn't the objective, we mainly wanted to get out without any problems, and we found ourselves in front. It's perfect!"

A podium ?

Back at the hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, "while other competitors are still there", the Mendois is resting A little. "The mechanics overhauled the car, redid everything. What's a good sign is that the car hasn't moved. Before leaving with Xavier de Soultrait, hypermotivated, for the second week of racing.

"There are five of us in our category who can win the Dakar. We are waiting for instructions from the team, to know if we secure the podium or if we play for the win." In any case, we will have to continue to play strategically, as in the first week: "We are more efficient on the sand, less on the stones. We will have to find the right steps in which we can make a difference." Martin Bonnet knows it well: "In a race like the Dakar, anything can happen at any time." 

Arrival scheduled for January 19. With hopefully an ASA Lozère (Motor Sports Association) podium, since Xavier de Soultrait and Martin Bonnet are both licensed there.