Riyadh: Spain’s defending Dakar Rally champion, Carlos Sainz, faced a major setback on Sunday when his Ford Raptor overturned in the Saudi desert dunes during the grueling 48-hour Chrono stage. The mishap left the four-time Dakar winner stranded for over 20 minutes at the 327-kilometer mark of the 947-kilometer stage, which started and ended in the southwestern town of Bisha.
Despite the incident, the 62-year-old motorsport legend managed to resume the race. Sainz, who is vying for a historic fifth win with a different manufacturer, had started the day eighth overall but dropped to 15th by the last checkpoint before the roll. The extent of the damage to his Ford Raptor remains unclear.
Tight Competition in the Saudi Dunes
At the 413-kilometer fuel stop, Sainz’s teammate and fellow Spaniard, Nani Roma, emerged as the virtual leader. Roma was ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi and Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah, a five-time champion driving for Dacia.
The two-week-long Dakar Rally, known for its treacherous terrain and extreme conditions, is being held entirely in Saudi Arabia this year. The event is set to conclude on January 17 in Shubaytah, located in the eastern Empty Quarter.
Also Read | Rebels Seize Strategic Masisi Town as Congo Conflict Escalates
Family Legacy in Motorsport
Carlos Sainz is not only a Dakar legend but also the father of Formula One driver Carlos Sainz Jr., extending his family’s legacy in global motorsports.
