IF you look at VW drivers results last year and compare them to this year at same events in completely different cars they are very similar. Sometimes they are 1-2 positions down, sometimes not, but no constant 3-5 position drop.
It's probably not the best to compare this years results with last year. Far too many variables, particularly the reliability of the cars this year.
This year's Dakar has very small gaps. It seems like it's not as car breaking as the other years.
After 7 stages in Dakar 2026: 16 drivers within 1 hour from the lead. 10th place at +25m 25s...
IMO there are much more positives than negatives for Kalle from first race weekend in single seaters - in one of the races his best lap was only three tents slower than the fastest drivers...as...
Just a kiss on the barrier, would have been a bit embarassing to cut short the celebration :D https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i0WV80F0_F0
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT