The third stage of the 2024 Dakar Rally would feature the type of marathon with two hours of assistance that the organization had established, so the drivers were aware that they could not risk too much. A small mistake could lead to an accident, and that would mean that all chances of winning the Touareg trophy would remain in the sand of Saudi Arabia.
For this reason, general classification leader Carlos Sainz worked hard to prevent his adventure in the toughest race in the world from ending. The Spaniard was never in the lead on the special stage, but remained among the fastest, always keeping an eye on his rivals, but was unable to contain the attack of the local hero, Yazeed Al Rajhi, who took the race lead by 29 seconds.
Photo by: Audi Communications Motorsport
#204 Team Audi Sport Audi RS Q e-tron E2: Carlos Sainz, Lucas Cruz
Once he finished the 438 kilometer timed route, the Spaniard said: “It wasn't a perfect stage for me, I lost about five minutes, then I was going fast, but then I found myself behind Mattias [Ekstrom] and I almost overturned the car. We got a puncture and had to stop to reset the impact detector and a couple of things.”
Carlos Sainz has handed over the lead of the 2024 Dakar Rally to the Saudi driver, who is faced with one of his greatest opportunities, as he has the tools with a vehicle proven in his country's desert.
Yazeed Al Rajhi's best finish in his entire career in this event is a third place in 2022, as well as four stage wins, but last year he was second in the World Rally-Raid championship and will hope to have a season that let him climb another position.
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