Stéphane
Peterhansel
France
·
Rally Raid
Date of birth | 6 August 1965 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Échenoz-la-Méline, France |
Age | 60 |
Nationality | France |
Career start | 1988 |
Disciplines | Rally Raid Car |
Stéphane Peterhansel may have started his racing career first on top of a skateboard, then holding on tight to a motorbike – but it was behind the wheel of a car that he truly found his forte. It's no wonder that he's the most successful driver in the history of the Dakar Rally.
With a wealth of experience to hand, he knows exactly how to keep his cool when the heat is on. The Frenchman knows what he needs to do at every stage and at every hurdle with puzzling accuracy. Over the years, his extraordinary discipline has consistently placed him head and shoulders above his competitors and, more often than not, onto the podium.
In June 2014, Peterhansel confirmed his move to Team Peugeot Total for the 2015 Dakar Rally, where he joined fellow Red Bull drivers Cyril Despres and Carlos Sainz – three legendary racers, each at the wheel of their own PEUGEOT 2008 DKR. He ultimately finished in 11th place overall.
At the 2015 China Silk Road Rally, a dress rehearsal for the 2016 Dakar, Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret won the event by over 30 minutes to give Team Peugeot Total a first outright victory. The success was an excellent confidence boost for the team as it prepared to take the Peugeot 2008 DKR 16 to South America in 2016. That success continued at the 2016 Dakar itself, where Peterhansel put in a commanding display of consistency to seal a first Dakar win for the French manufacturer since 1990 and a 12th title for himself.
"It's extraordinary. The pressure was very high, but we came through. Some of my wins count more than others, but this one's definitely in the top three," he commented after crossing the finish line to make it six Dakar wins in a car, to match the six he won on bikes. Peterhansel returned to represent Team Peugeot Total at the 2017 Dakar where, despite a race-long battle with team-mate Sébastien Loeb, he finished triumphant once more.
In 2019 he moved to MINI, teaming up with the German X-Raid team that also helped him to victory in both 2012 and 2013 and in 2020 he would claim yet another podium finish, taking third place in Saudi Arabia.
Sticking with the now well-proven MINI machine for the 2021 race, Peterhansel delivered a masterclass of race management in the Saudi Arabian desert to lead the race from Stage 1 all the way to the end and secure his 14th Dakar Rally victory, 30 years after his first win.
For the 2022 edition of the Dakar, Peterhansel drove the brand-new Audi RS Q e-tron, which featured an alternative drive concept that combined an electric drivetrain with a high-voltage battery and a highly efficient energy converter. The veteran French driver was forced out of the running early on but still secured his 49th stage win in a car before he was done.
Just a few months later Peterhansel returned to winning ways, securing a seventh title at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Unfortunately his return to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to contest the Dakar with Team Audi Sport ended in disappointment as he was forced to retire from the event during stage six. Peterhansel’s return for a third and final Dakar with Audi in 2024 also came to a disappointing conclusion as his car was plagued by technical issues.
Mr Dakar himself, Stéphane Peterhansel
© Marc Bow/Red Bull Content Pool
Taking a break from the Dakar heat
© Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool
Stéphane Peterhansel pushing the limits
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
Stéphane Peterhansel makes a splash
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool