Dakar Rally Releases Update After Motorsport Legend Carlos Sainz’s Scary Crash
January 5, 2025
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Veteran rally driver Carlos Sainz Sr. had a scare during the 2025 Dakar Rally’s second stage when his vehicle flipped over. Luckily, neither Sainz nor his co-driver Lucas Cruz were injured in the accident, as confirmed by the race organizers.
Carlos Sainz Sr., born April 12, 1962, in Spain, is not only a rally legend but also part of a family deeply connected to motorsport. His son, Carlos Sainz Jr., is a well-known Formula 1 driver, who is about to embark on his first season with Williams.
Sainz Sr. has been associated with several top teams throughout his career. The 2025 Dakar Rally served as a crucial platform for Ford, featuring their new Raptor T1+ model.
The Spanish driver’s crash happened while tackling a sand dune at kilometer 327, a common challenge in the Dakar Rally. Remarkably, despite the vehicle flipping, Carlos and Lucas managed to carry on for a while, though the damage eventually forced them to stop. As stated by the Dakar Rally organization:
Carlos Sainz Sr looks on in the Williams garage during Formula 1 testing at Yas Marina Circuit on December 10, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dakar Rally releases update after motorsport legend Carlos… Carlos Sainz Sr looks on in the Williams garage during Formula 1 testing at Yas Marina Circuit on December 10, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Dakar Rally releases update after motorsport legend Carlos Sainz Sr.’s scary crash.
Mark Sutton/Getty Images
“Carlos Sainz flipped his Ford Raptor at km 327! Thankfully, the crew is unharmed and managed to get back on track, but the car took some heavy damage.”
The Ford Raptor T1+ has been engineered specifically for the tough conditions of the Dakar with a robust V8 engine, FOX suspension, and a durable chassis.
The incident occurred in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, during the 48-hour marathon stage, notorious for its tough conditions, including sandy terrains and steep dunes. Despite the setback, Sainz and Cruz resumed participation in the rally after losing roughly 20 minutes.
“Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz are back on track!
“The defending champions have been stopped for about 20 minutes. They just passed km 373, trailing leader Yazeed Al Rajhi by 43’14”.”
Sainz had earlier shared insights on the challenges faced during the rally on the previous day, reflecting:
“A challenging day with narrow paths and dense vegetation. Tough to decide whether to stop before the finish. P8 in the end, though finishing further back would’ve been better with no bikes clearing the way tomorrow. Up next is the 48-hour stage, it’ll be intense, but we’re all in! “
Día complicado, con caminos estrechos y mucha vegetación. Difícil decidir si parar antes de meta. Al final, P8, aunque habría sido mejor quedar más atrás pensando en que no habrá motos abriendo camino mañana. Viene etapa de 48 horas, será intenso pero vamos con todo! 💪🏻
A… pic.twitter.com/gc8QUIjNtp
— Carlos Sainz (@CSainz_oficial) January 4, 2025
The 2025 Dakar Rally began on 3rd January 2025 and is expected to run until January 17th.
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