Sebastien Loeb (BRX) implemented its law in the ninth phase Dakar and noted it down fourth partial victory in the current edition. However, considering his pulse, his efforts were not enough. Carlos Sainz For the (Audi) Touareg, since the man from Madrid is supported by two luxury aides and friends Ekström and Peterhanselcompleted an almost perfect stage and successfully defended the lead. The French pilot lost 4:14 points at the end of the day and was 20:33 behind in the rally classification.
There are only three stages left until the end of Dakar 2024 (two of great difficulty and the other in transitional stage). Sainz knows he faces a huge opportunity to reaffirm his title it has conquered this three times before and with three different brands: 2010 (Volksvagen), 2018 (Peugeot) and 2020 (MINI). The current challenge is more ambitious as the 61-year-old Madrid driver tries to achieve his first Dakar victory by 100 points. electric powered car.
A dream Sainz can achieveEven though Loeb is ‘determined’ to ruin it. The Frenchman was left alone against all odds after his new teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah, a five-time Dakar champion and winner of the last two races for Toyota, lost his chance to win following two serious endurance failures with Hunter. He will also have to open the track tomorrow after winning his fourth special race (after also being fastest on stages four, six and seven).
Sainz started today a difference of 24 minutes against loeb, saw how the route gave him a great opportunity to attack and shave minutes off the Spaniard. For Carlos, the task was to resist and save another difficult day. And with the support of the two other Audi drivers not in the general classification, the Swede Ekström and the Frenchman Peterhansel, he prepared an ideal plan.
The former was tasked with clearing the track for Sainz until a puncture prevented him from continuing his strategy in the final two stages, and the latter accompanied him to the finish line. Monsieur Dakar, the most successful driver in rally history with 14 Touaregs on display, played a key role in stopping LoebHe has just over four minutes to spare at the finish line and will have to play again tomorrow if he hopes to beat the Madrid player. Two great legends of the World Rally Championship (WRC), nine-time champion Loeb and two-time champion Sainz, face off in an increasingly fast Dakar.
“I was happy with the scene. I opened most of the special. We ended up stressing in the cabin because the navigation was complicated. But we drove all three cars together and I knew I could trust them.” “Sainz summarized.