Is the defending champion already out of the running for victory in this 2025 Dakar? Carlos Sainz was injured at kilometer 327 of the queen stage of this 47th edition, the 48 Chrono which takes place over two days and 960 kilometers. The Spaniard’s Ford Raptor T1+ ended up on its roof just after the seventh intermediate point. Organizers confirm that the crew was unhurt and that their M-Sport teammate, Mitch Gurthie, stopped alongside them to help and put the Raptor back on its four wheels.
Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz were finally able to restart after more than twenty minutes of stopping, despite a badly damaged rear end, as can be seen in the video published by the Dakar below. At the next intermediate point, at kilometer 373, his delay was 43’14!
Before this accident, the Madrilenian was already in difficulty in terms of time. Starting in 8th place this Sunday morning, Carlos Sainz quickly found himself at the front opening the road and therefore losing time. In the seventh intermediate at km 325, the Spaniard was 21’58 behind the virtual leader, Nasser Al-Attiyah (Dacia). It is the first of the big favorites for this Dakar 2025 to encounter such a mishap, and a big blow for the Ford M-Sport clan which could lose its leader for the overall victory. At the seventh point of kilometer 325, it is the two Dacias of Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb who are leading the 48H Chrono stage. The Frenchman is 3’58 behind his Qatari teammate.
READ ALSO > Route, program, entrants… the complete guide to the Dakar 2025
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