As expected, Minis swept the top three podium positions after the 13th and final stage at the 2014 Dakar Rally – and as expected, it was Spain’s Nani Roma in first followed by 11-time Dakar champ Stephane Peterhansel in second and 2011 Dakar champ Nasser Al-Attiyah in third. We knew this would be how it would finish not because we are clairvoyant but because Mini had ordered the three drivers to freeze their positions after Wednesday’s 11th stage and despite a brief interloping run by Peterhansel to win the 12th stage and put himself in the lead going into the final stage, all drivers complied with the team orders and Peterhansel slowed down and allowed Roma to overtake him and win during the final stage.
All Americans departed the race with B.J. Baldwin leaving in the 10th stage and Robby Gordon leaving in the 11th stage – both with fuel-related issues.