F.Palmeiro – on the connection with B.Vanags and the Lithuanians: I was the first, but now even the three Lithuanian teammates are Portuguese

Palmeiro spent 14 years on the X-Raid team, but as he himself notes, after spending so much time in one place, it is always helpful to take a break and broaden your horizons. He feels strong support from the Lithuanians, which was partly due to the fact that other Portuguese athletes did not hesitate long after receiving the invitations.

“I was the first, but now the crews of three Lithuanian teams will have sailors from Portugal. This is another way to ensure good relations between the two countries, ”said the pilot.

Dakar is a fight for survival

F. Palmeiro knows Vilnius well and feels comfortable in the capital due to the large number of Lithuanians in the capital. After joining the Inbank Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics team, their fan base has also expanded significantly. The number of followers of the Portuguese navigator on his Instagram account quickly doubled.

Now I have a lot of fans in Lithuania, from whom I always get support.

“Now I have many fans in Lithuania, from whom I always receive support. Perhaps this is because Dakar is so popular in their country. The Portuguese are also passionate about motorsport, but the interest is not so great,” said the co-driver.

He admitted to being addicted to the sensations he experiences in Dakar. Although he feels small and vulnerable when in the desert, and suffering from the heat and dust, he often begins to wonder why, instead of sitting at home, he came running once more, immediately after the finish. start thinking about another rally marathon.

“It is a serious challenge that can only be overcome by fighting, and that fight for survival is never easy. My family and friends, who know me well, have gotten used to seeing me at the Dakar, and they haven’t tried to discourage me for a long time, ”said the Portuguese.

Get used to the car

Palmeiro noted that many new things will soon need to be learned in Dakar by 2021. One of them will be an electronic roadmap. You will also get used to a new car with Vanags.

“The prologue will be very important for us because it will bring the lack of experience. The car meets the level of the best teams, but in the first or second gear sections we will still try to fully understand it. Benedict has already driven it a bit, and now the last steps remain to be taken, ”said the co-driver.

Finding a common language with Vanags on the first Dakar was not difficult for the Portuguese. The athlete joked that if the relationship remained the same in this marathon rally, they would make a perfect team.