The Dakar Rally special series
French co-driver Delphine Delfino’s Dakar Rally story can be traced all the way back to weekend picnics with her mother and cross-continental adventures with her family. We had the opportunity to chat with Delphine about her Dakar adventure and her career. Here is her story of quiet grit, unwavering optimism, and a refusal to let broken bones or daunting odds steer her off course.
All photos © Delphine Delfino
Growing up in the French countryside, Delphine developed a love for four-wheeled adventures from a young age. Both a necessity and a passion, driving and co-driving in rallies became almost a natural extension of her life. “In the countryside, we must have our driver’s license and rely on cars or motorbikes to get around. My mother always had a 4×4 and we loved going out for picnics on weekends. It was the same when I met my husband, Max. Driving and exploring have always been part of our relationship. Being a co-driver and participating in rally felt like a natural progression—I simply transitioned from passion to professionalism.”
The best holidays we had with our children were the ones we took in our 4×4. We traveled with them across Africa and Europe.
For Delphine, when transitioning from being a casual tourist, rally-raid’s allure lies in its blend of rugged landscapes and freedom. “When traveling, we don’t need to look for a hotel or a restaurant or parking. We stop wherever we want and go wherever we please. In rally-raid, we are always going to remote places. We can enjoy the nature there, and savor that sense of freedom.”
When going racing, Delphine opted to be the co-driver who navigates the journey. “I don’t trust myself enough as a driver in racing conditions. I wouldn’t feel confident putting my life and my co-driver’s life in my hands as the driver. I’m competent in everyday driving, but high-speed rallies aren’t my strength. As a co-driver, my strength is that I’m meticulous and precise. I have a strong mind even when the situation is complicated. At the same time, my weakness is that I’m not a good enough mechanic. In rally-raid, it would be helpful to be able to fix mechanical issues”
I’m always optimistic. I try to have a solution for every situation we face. I always think that we will manage to get it to the finish line. I’m optimistic and I try to fight as far as I can.
Since Delphine’s rally-raid debut in the 2018 Balkan Offroad Rally, the Dakar has been an ultimate goal for her. She understands the requirement that comes with this goal. “When you compete in rally, the Dakar is definitely the goal for everyone. It’s the most difficult race in the world and you have to train and practice to conquer it. When I started competing, I wanted to be among the best, I wanted to have good result. Even though I know that a podium or a top ten finish in the Dakar is almost impossible unless you are on a professional team. The idea is that I have to train a lot, so when I’m lucky enough to join this epic race, I can do my best.”
Knowing the difficulties of the Dakar, Delphine embarked on her journey to prepare for the ultimate challenge. Gathering experience and seat time is the priority. “The only way you can be a good driver or co-driver and get ready for the Dakar is to practice. You need to participate in as many rallies as possible, to face as many different situations as possible, to be able to read different types of road book, and to be able to use different navigation systems. You can’t train at home for the Dakar, you must have your road book, with your helmet on, and practice. As the co-driver, you must read road books accurately and communicate directions clearly, even at high speeds.”
When I went through the dunes for the first time in Morocco, it was one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced. A lot of people are afraid of the dunes. But when you are in a car with a good driver that you trust, it is the most amazing thing, almost like a magic moment.
Throughout Delphine’s preparation for the Dakar, challenges, including an accident in Poland in 2021, tested her resolve. “I was racing in Rallye Breslau in Poland, and I broke my vertebra in an accident. It took me six days to go from the hospital in Poland back to France to get surgery. I was blessed because the accident could’ve been worse. After the surgery, when everything was okay again, I definitely decided to continue with racing. I think that I have a lucky star looking after me.”
In 2022, after four years of preparation, Delphine stood on the starting podium of her Dakar debut with her driver Gilles Girousse in the classic category. The sheer scale of the Dakar Rally captivated her. “The biggest surprise for me when I competed my first Dakar was the size of the bivouac and the number of people gathering at the same place. The event’s enormity – countless cars, mechanics, trucks – was beyond imagination.”
By her fourth Dakar in 2025, Delphine has progressed from classic to T3 and now T1 category, adapting to faster cars and drivers. With more experiences, she becomes a more mature co-driver. “Usually I meet my driver around August and September time. We would try to race together before the Dakar so we can agree on our way of working together and discover the car together. My biggest improvement throughout the years is delivering precise navigation at high speeds. In the classic category, it was not all about the speed. Every year, I got to a faster category with a faster driver, I can stay comfortable, give information to my driver with less and less mistakes.”
The Dakar means spending three weeks with someone who isn’t family or a friend. So it’s great if you can have the opportunity to get to know them and get along before the race.
After a grueling rally-raid event, Delphine cherishes some quiet moments at home where she could have some good sleep, some nice food, and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. This year, after the Dakar and a few days of rest at home, Delphine and Max went on a hike among the Mount Kilimanjaro. We wish Delphine continued success in all her adventures, on and off the dunes!
* We would like to thank Anomalia Paris for all their support in making this interview happen.
Paddock Sorority 
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