Audi Sport has a solid history with racing documentaries re-telling their victories. The latest in this long line is the upcoming Dakar: Race Against the Desert, tells the story of the brand’s victory in the 2024 Dakar Rally by the Audi RSQ e-tron driven by Dakar legend Carlos Ghosn.
Whether commissioned by the brand itself, like the time Audi of America contracted NFL Films to create Truth in 24 covering the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans and then Truth in 24 II telling the story of the 2011 Le Mans race, or independent projects centered around a particular driver as did the Michèle Mouton biographical documentary Queen of Speed, there’s no shortage of these films.
The latest in this line is a production by Universal Docs and Red Bull Studios doesn’t center on solely Audi Sport and the Sainz victory, but rather the 2023 race as a whole. It will see its global digital release on May 12, 2025.
In a post on social media, Audi Sport shared:
“Culminating in victory in 2024, we took part in the Dakar Rally for three years. It was a long road to first place, with many ups and downs. The new film takes you behind the scenes of the 2023 edition, on two and four wheels. That event was a particularly hard one for Team Audi Sport, but it was part of our journey to the top. We regrouped, learned from our setbacks and came back even stronger to win one year later with Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz. In doing so, the Spaniards wrote motorsport history with the Audi RS Q e-tron¹ becoming the first car to win the legendary event with an alternative drivetrain².“
The film is set to follow interconnected stories throughout the race, centering around Dakar legends, Carlos Sainz Snr, Sebastian Loeb, Nasser Al-Attiya and Toby Price, while also focusing on more recent rally stars such as Cristina Gutierrez, Seth Quintero and Mason Klein as they push themselves through their own grueling race.
Universal has released an official trailer, with premieres and theatrical releases to follow around the globe.
USA Screening: May 5, Los Angeles with Seth Quintero and Mason Klein (tbd)
Spain Screening (Theatrical): May 7, Madrid. Presented by Carlos Sainz Sr.
Middle East Theatrical run (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Dubai etc.): May 8-9
France: Premiere on June 16, and theatrical release on June 18
Streaming platforms (Amazon, iTunes, Google Store etc…)
Europe Digital Release: May 12 – available to own or rent across all major digital platforms
US Digital Release: May 13 – available to own or rent across all major digital platforms
AUS Digital Release: May 14 – available to own or rent across all major digital platforms
