Zoom

Fourth day of the rally in Brazil, fourth fastest time set by Volkswagen on a special stage and overall lead by Nasser Al-Attiyah: The Volkswagen factory driver who at the Rallye dos Sertões competes for the first time for the Wolfsburg automobile manufacturer and – also for the first time – together with co-driver Timo Gottschalk (D), won the fourth special stage between Minaçu and Palmas ahead of his team-mates Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz Senra (E/E) and Maurício Neves/Eduardo Bampi (BR/BR).

On the 753-kilometre leg featuring trail-like passages, fast and slow gravel sections and numerous water crossings Al-Attiyah made up 2.10 minutes to Sainz and 6.32 to Neves, and moved forward in the overall standings with a 1.27-minute lead over Sainz.

Kris Nissen (Volkswagen Motorsport Director)
"That was a great day for us: As they have been doing straight from the start, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Timo Gottschalk showed that they're a strong combination. Carlos Sainz made a small mistake which cost time but in which Maurício Neves in the third Race Touareg perfectly lived up to a Volkswagen trait: Thanks to his help, Carlos was able to continue driving. That's teamwork.”

#301 – Carlos Sainz : 2nd place leg / 2nd place overall
"A really nice leg that offered everything which characterises cross-country rally racing. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly my stage in every respect: I had quickly caught up with Nasser Al-Attiyah and was driving in his dust when I slipped in a straight line in a right-hand corner. Maurício pulled me out, so the loss of time wasn't excessive. Tomorrow is another day.”

#302 – Nasser Al-Attiyah : 1st place leg / 1st place overall
"For the past three years, I've been dreaming about the chance to compete for the Volkswagen factory team. This dream has come true – and whenever you add such a great leg as today's, which really suits the Race Touareg well, everything's perfect. Slow passages, quick sections requiring you to alternate between attacks and taking it easy on the material – that's my idea of a nice special stage.”

#309 – Maurício Neves : 3rd place leg / 8th place overall
"An action-packed day. Right at the beginning of the special stage I assisted Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz Senra who'd gotten stuck alongside the track. After that, we attacked a little harder. But when the tyres started degrading a little towards the end of the stage we took it easier again in order to not risk any damage to the car.”

© CAPSIS International