The Dakar Rally organization has just announced that the 2024 Dakar winner is withdrawing from the rally. Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz are giving up after yesterday’s crash and several setbacks today. The car is too heavily damaged to continue.
Earlier today, Sainz already indicated that title defense was no longer possible. His somersault early in the second stage caused him to lose an hour and a half. He lost more time by driving the wrong way and getting a flat tire on the second day.
The 61-year-old Spaniard did not arrive at the finish completely unscathed. He said that he had pain in his back and was a bit sore, but above all that it affected him emotionally.
The damage to the Ford Raptor turned out to be too great to continue upon entering the bivouac. There was damage to the roll cage, which is endangering safety. The 2024 winner will no longer be able to win in 2025.
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
