Carlos Sainz has once again demonstrated his dominance in the Rally Dakar, this time in the 2024 edition. On board his Audi RS Q e-tron, he conquered the dunes and treacherous roads of Saudi Arabia, securing his fourth Dakar in his career.
The final stage, a 175-kilometer route along the picturesque Red Sea coast in Yanbu, presented itself as the last obstacle in his path to triumph. Here, while competitors like Mattias Ekstrom and Romain Dumas struggled to stand out, Sainz, without the close presence of Sébastien Loeb, who was on the verge of withdrawing from the competition, maintained his focus and composure.
While Loeb struggled to change his fate in the race and Guillaume de Mevius temporarily took the lead, attention was fixed on Sainz. At the helm of the revolutionary Audi RS Q e-tron, he advanced with a mix of caution and boldness, approaching his fourth Dakar title.
The culmination of this race not only reflects Sainz's exceptional skill and experience but also represents a significant victory for Audi. With the RS Q e-tron, an avant-garde vehicle, Audi dominated the relentless Saudi Arabian desert. This success not only constitutes an impressive achievement for Sainz but also a decisive chapter for Audi, which seized every setback of its competitors to etch its name in the history of motorsports.
In this 2024 edition of the Dakar, Carlos Sainz, with his natural talent and Audi's innovative technology, has provided us with a spectacle of strategy and skill in the most challenging conditions, solidifying his status as a legend in the world of rally.
Position | Number | Crew | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 204 | (esp) CARLOS SAINZ (esp) LUCAS CRUZ |
TEAM AUDI SPORT | 48h 15' 18'' |
2 | 221 | (bel) GUILLAUME DE MEVIUS (fra) XAVIER PANSERI |
OVERDRIVE RACING | + 01h 20' 25'' |
3 | 203 | (fra) SEBASTIEN LOEB (bel) FABIAN LURQUIN |
BAHRAIN RAID XTREME | + 01h 29' 12'' |
4 | 211 | (fra) GUERLAIN CHICHERIT (fra) ALEX WINOCQ |
OVERDRIVE RACING | + 01h 35' 59'' |
5 | 208 | (cze) MARTIN PROKOP (cze) VIKTOR CHYTKA |
ORLEN JIPOCAR TEAM | + 02h 16' 43'' |
6 | 243 | (zaf) GUY DAVID BOTTERILL (zaf) BRETT CUMMINGS |
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | + 02h 40' 33'' |
7 | 209 | (zaf) GINIEL DE VILLIERS (zaf) DENNIS MURPHY |
Toyota Gazoo Racing | + 02h 50' 26'' |
8 | 223 | (ltu) BENEDIKTAS VANAGAS (est) KULDAR SIKK |
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING BALTICS | + 02h 57' 17'' |
9 | 206 | (bra) LUCAS MORAES (esp) ARMAND MONLEON |
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING | + 03h 03' 12'' |
10 | 212 | (fra) MATHIEU SERRADORI (fra) LOIC MINAUDIER |
CENTURY RACING FACTORY TEAM | + 03h 04' 12'' |
Audi and Mattias Ekström end partnership after 23 years
The Swedish driver bids farewell to Audi after a successful career in DTM, rallycross and Dakar.
Mitch Guthrie Jr. joins Ford for the 2025 Dakar
The Californian driver will make the leap to the Ultimate category, driving the Ford Raptor T1+ in the world's toughest rally.
Dakar 2025: Challenges and New Features of the Rally in Saudi Arabia
The 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia promises challenging stages and innovative routes.
Ford and its Return to Dakar 2025 with Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma
The 2025 edition of the Dakar will see the Ford Raptor compete with experienced drivers.