While the very mention of the Dakar Rally conjures images of heat, dust and dunes, this year heavy rain and flash flooding have also played a part at times. Adding yet another dimension and challenge to an already gruelling rally, the washdays may have reduced the dust to a degree, but the resultant mud has created plenty of problems both to the cars and also behind the scenes at the bivouac.

See behind the scenes at Dakar 2023 here.

But while the Audis have been largely spared the problems of water crossing, the rain did little to change the incessant tyre damage that has dogged all competitors again this year. For Stephane Peterhansel and Edouard Boulanger, Day 5 proved particularly costly, not only for replacing tyres but also significant damage to their rear suspension. That required parts from the backup truck to complete the repairs, which meant an extended wait out on the course before they could proceed and make it home. Their misfortune did prove of assistance to Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz, who also suffered suspension damage on the punishing terrain, but were able to take a damper from the prone Peterhansel RS Q e-tron , to allow them to keep going without having to wait for backups to arrive.

Day 6 proved even more difficult, with another effect of the rain felt by all competitors. The rain served to pack down the sand and make the ground harder, which had the effect of more jarring landings over the many jumps on Day 6. This literally impacted drivers and machines, taking a toll on both bodies and suspensions alike, with even veterans of the Dakar like Peterhansel saying after the special stage that it was amongst the hardest he had ever encountered.

Nevertheless the Audi teams continued to run well and at the front of the pack, with two of the three RS Q e-trons finishing on the podium (second and third) at the end of a bone-crushing day.

For Carlos Sainz it was his fourth podium so far this year, while the result brought up the third podium of the event for Mr Dakar, Stephane Peterhansel. Mattias Ekstrom and his co-driver Emil Bergkvist, despite showing plenty of pace on each leg of the rally so far, continue to be dogged by mechanical issues. A stop for repairs 100km before the end of the stage cost them a massive 45 minutes, which saw them finish well back in 23rd position for the day. Despite that result though, they sit inside the top 10 in eighth overall.

Going into the weekend and closing in on the halfway point of the rally, the other two Audi pairings remain in the top five outright. Despite what has been a frustrating event to date, Stephane Peterhansel sits in second position, while Sainz is just back in fourth outright.

See a summary of the Day 6 action here.