Many doubted the Qatari, but he proved everybody wrong. He claimed his first ever Dakar with over 45 minutes difference from second place winner and 2009 Dakar Champion Giniel de Villiers and 2010 champion Carlos Sainz. Nasser benefitted from some major setbacks for Sainz especially in the second week of the rally but never the less he drove with speed and perfection.
This is probably the best ever Arab motor sporting accomplishment. For once we can say that this victory is for real. Nasser was not a pay driver, he did have some very difficult opponents, and actually he was facing some Dakar legends, especially Stephan Peterhensel, a nine time Dakar champion.
The ultimate winner of the car category should be the VW Touareg team, which like last year ended the rally claiming the first three places.
Expect an interview with Dakar champ Nasser Al-Attiyah very soon
Here is the final standing of the car category:
1 Nasser Al-Attiyah 45:16:16
2 Giniel de Villiers + 49:41
3 Carlos Sainz + 1:20:38
4 Stéphane Peterhansel + 1:43:48
5 Krzystof Holowczyc + 4:11:21
6 Mark Miller + 4:54:42
7 Ricardo Dos Santos + 6:50:07
8 Christian Lavieille + 7:57:18
9 Guilherme Spinelli + 8:23:37
10 Matthias Kahle + 15:11:56