True, but the system did not meet the rules. By allowing more air into the engine than the restrictor was supposed to allow is against the rules. Regardless if it did or did not increase performance, it wasn't allowed. The appeal process is where this type of thing needs to be addressed.
It is amazing that with so many differences that in the end their performance is as equal as it is... "Different ways to skin a cat" comes to mind...lol
I think it was something to see so many MINI's so high up in the standings for only being in the 2nd Dakar.....
Only the 2nd Dakar with a Mini-lookalike body on it - but they have been competing since 2007, with a BMW-lookalike body on.