Easy-going TGRSA crews maintain top 5 positions after Stage 11 in 2023 Dakar Rally

Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel went fifth-quickest on Stage 11 of the 2023 Dakar Rally, maintaining their 1hr 24min lead over their nearest competitors in the general standings.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) crew is en route to a second consecutive Dakar title and opted to take the final stages easy and not risk anything.

Al-Attiyah said: "Everything went to plan today for us. We don't have to push at all since we have enough time in hand, so the main goal today was to make sure the car is in perfect condition for tomorrow."

Teammates Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings registered another good stage after the troubles in Stage 9. The other TGRSA crew of Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy is having a much easier time in this race's second half than the first. The sandy terrain is playing into their hands, and their stages are a lot cleaner.

De Villiers and Murphy remain fifth overall.

Glyn Hall, TGR Dakar Team Principal, said: "The great news today is that all three of our cars got through the first part of the Marathon Stage without any drama - always a worry at this point in the race.

"Nasser maintained his lead comfortably, while Henk and Giniel posted solid stage results to hold steady in their respective positions in the overall standings. Next up is the wait to see them back here in the bivouac at Shaybah, following Stage 12."