Rally
Nasser Al Attiyah, Born to be Fast (and Wild)
Nasser Al Attiyah, Born to be Fast (and Wild)
The Qatari driver and Olympic skeet shooter has a winner's DNA. He is dedicated, ambitious and extremely competitive. Watch him out challenge the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge!
Nasser Al-Attiyah in action
© Kin Marcin
The eight-time Middle East Rally champion, 2014 WRC2 champion, the 2011 and 2015 Dakar Rally winner and bronze medalist in the Men's Skeet at the 2012 summer Olympics in London is chasing his second win in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge rally in the Western Region of Al Gharbia. He is the kind of contender with no Plan B. He likes winning as much as he likes living. The hero of a new era is winning with old-fashioned values - but in a completely new way, based on good faith and an extremely good mood. And it works! The fastest Arab in the world was obviously born to be fast - and a little wild. He drives with a shooter's concentration, and shoots with a driver's speed.
Q. You won last year's Desert Challenge on the battle field and then got excluded for a suspension travel irregularity following post-event scrutineering by the FIA. How can that happen?
A. The team made a mistake - they should have checked the regulations. But it happens. It's a human factor and last year's event is already history. The exclusion didn't block me from achieving an overall victory in the Cross Country Championship.
Q. You never hide your intentions to win and tell everyone that you’re not interested in second place. So what do you say about finishing second in the Dakar?
A. I'm perfectly fine with that. It was a new experience which I’m grateful for. I like to learn! Sure, a win would have been better, but second place in that race is nothing to be ashamed of. We saw a new dream team coming on the scene and it put a lot of pressure on all the teams, not just mine. The bottom line is that I was really so close to winning the race. If I hadn't rolled and lost and hour, I would have passed the finish line before Peterhansel for sure. Next year it’s gonna be me arriving with a new team and a new car – a Toyota - and that will intimidate the competition. (Laughs)
Nasser Al-Attiyah and Matthieu Baumel
© Kin Marcin
Q. Why have you changed your weapon?
A. Because I’m a free man and I like to change. The change is always positive because it brings new energy. I was curious, I needed to check out Toyota, try another car and make it competitive. Toyota also helped me big time for this event. They gave me two cars - a 2015 and a 2016 edition - and so I think I should win this race for Toyota, the Qatari government, all the motorsport fans and… for me. A whole bunch of reasons! Yes, I am more than motivated! Yesterday I tested this car in the dunes and I already feel as comfortable as I did with the old one. I adapt very quickly to new situations.
Q. Would you say this is your strongest trait? Is this the "big secret" to being a winner?
A. Yes, it might be, but it’s something I’ve acquired over the years. It comes from experience and gives you consistency.
Q. We read that your winning recipe is a strong car, a calm mind and plenty of energy. You will always have a strong car, but how do you take care of the other two ingredients?
A. I trust myself! When you trust yourself you always have a calm mind and you become immune to stress. Sure there’s pressure but that's a completely different thing. The secret is not to hurry and not to anticipate dramas. Take Dakar. We worked day to day; building up gradually is what brings success. Of course I also trust my excellent co-driver Matthieu Baumel ... when he’s not speaking French. (Laughs) Another key reason I have an inner peace is that I am surrounded with professionals.
Rallying in the desert
© Kin Marcin
Q. How would you compare the Desert Challenge to the Dakar?
A. We’re talking about apples and oranges. This race is almost 100 percent sand dunes, five days in a row. Dunes are not easy to take, you have to be an expert reader of the desert. And the temperatures here can get very high. I hope the weather stays like this. Rainy! I can’t say that this is my favorite terrain, but if you ask me about my favorite race the answer is the Sealine rally in Qatar - my home event.
Q. How do you provide yourself the third aspect - plenty of energy?
A. I train a lot. I run, cycle, swim ... being fully fit can be a real game changer. And again I’m talking about experience - over years of racing you learn how to save your energy. I never get completely exhausted. I get a bit tired - like when you run 15 minutes too long - but I never lose concentration. Skeet shooting is the best training for that. Rallying is the best training for reflexes. And maybe the need to fight in a sporting arena is a constant wake-up call.
Q. What’s the best thing about being a sportsman?
Nasser Al-Attiyah
© Kin Marcin
A. In a sportsman’s life there's no place for day dreaming. I give myself a lot of challenges. I compete in lots of races, so I have no time to dwell on my successes. My mission is to put Qatar on the world map and fight against stereotypes. Many people still think that Arabs have money but no culture or talent. I was born rich but never took a dirham from my family. I didn't even have a driving teacher. We’re all capable of great things.
Q. Do you fear the day when you’ll have to stop competitive racing?
A. Not at all. The friends I’ve made on and off the track will last forever and that’s what really matters. Fear is the worst response; in life and in racing. It makes you tense.
Q. And the best response is...?
A. Respect, without a shadow of a doubt.
