Spanish rally driver Carlos Sainz holds the early lead in the Dakar 2024 car category, with a narrow edge over Yazeed Al Rajhi of Saudi Arabia after stage two. The battle intensified when Stephane Peterhansel secured the stage win in a hard-fought duel with French teammates, finishing 29 seconds ahead and adding another Dakar victory to a storied career. The stage clock showed 3 hours, 54 minutes and 40 seconds, while Sainz crossed the line in eighth place, 17 minutes 15 seconds behind the winner. The result solidified Sainz’s overall advantage, moving past Belgian driver De Mevius who had sat fifth on the previous day.
At the current pace, Sainz is 4 minutes 17 seconds ahead of Loeb in third, and 13 minutes 16 seconds ahead of the stage winner on this leg. He also holds a comfortable 12-minute cushion over Nasser Al-Attiyah, the Dakar champion, who finished the day in fifth. The gap underscores Sainz’s confidence as the rally progresses. The field remains highly competitive, with multiple teams still pursuing the podium and the title, a dynamic narrative for fans across North America and beyond. The inclusion of a hybrid powertrain adds strategic depth to Audi’s campaign and highlights ongoing technology evolution in the rally.
Two heroic teammates
Peterhansel’s early rallies set a clear tone: Swedish driver Mattias Ekström finished second on Saturday, and his Sunday victory confirmed Audi’s intent to challenge for the title, while pointing to the reliability the squad aims to prove in coming stages. The team celebrates a dual milestone: Peterhansel’s fiftieth win in the car category and Sainz’s widening lead, aided by a hybrid drive that influences strategic pacing. The day left little doubt that Audi arrived in Dakar ready to contend for the top spot. The French driver beat third-placed Seth Quintero by just over three minutes, trailing Loeb by 29 seconds. This result also positioned Prodrive as a strong contender, driven by Al-Attiyah and the team. Toyota remains in the conversation, with several Toyota entries among the top ten overall, signaling a competitive field ahead as the rally unfolds.
During this stage, Peterhansel led eight of the nine sections along the 651-kilometer route that threaded through challenging private terrain between Al Hanakiyah and Al Duwadimi in Saudi Arabia. The day underscored a tightly fought battle among the leaders, with Sainz navigating a demanding course that tested both machine and pace. The Madrid native found himself sixth on the timesheets at key moments, but his early advantage helped him manage risk by day’s end, avoiding unnecessary exposure on a leg where every second counted.
The day’s results reminded followers of the relentless Dakar spirit. Sainz faced a tough leg that tested driver and machine alike, including a puncture after overtaking De Mevius early in the stage. Yet his initial success and the lead built on the opening stage allowed him to preserve position without taking needless risks, letting the race come to him and maintaining momentum for the next segment.
Beyond the headliners, the field showcased deep talent. Al-Attiyah, Loeb, and Ekström found moments of brilliance and challenge, illustrating Dakar’s status as a high-stakes theater where every stage reshapes the standings and fuels the narrative. As teams prepare for the next test, they adjust strategies, manage wear on machines, and chase strong results in forthcoming phases. The rally remains a proving ground for drivers who blend skill, endurance, and prudent pacing to maximize chances of victory.
Al-Attiyah’s comeback and others
Al-Attiyah rebounded from a difficult first stage, finishing fourth on the day and narrowing the gap to Sainz by roughly twelve minutes. The resurgence kept him competitive in the overall standings, as Ekström held sixth after the seventh stage. The contest among the leaders remains intense, with top contenders continuously chipping away at gaps and seeking opportunities on upcoming runs. The comeback highlights Dakar’s unpredictable nature, where a single day can rewrite the order and shift the rally’s narrative.
On the sidelines, notable participants like Laia Sanz from Catalonia drew attention for adapting to the car and pace required to stay within striking distance of the leaders. She finished twentieth, about 36 minutes behind the leader, reflecting the challenges newcomers face in the Dakar’s demanding environment. Nani Roma also faced hurdles, losing around 25 minutes and acknowledging tweaks will be needed in a different car for a stronger result in the near future. The team remains optimistic, focused on learning from the experience ahead of the next Dakar edition.
With four stages remaining before the rest day, anticipation builds for a half-marathon segment between Ad Duwadimi and Al-Hofuf, a key transition ahead of the 48-hour chrono through the Empty Quarter. The field will test endurance and strategy as they approach the desert’s toughest stretches, where heat, sand, and sandstorms challenge reliability and stamina. Dakar continues to deliver drama, momentum, and a relentless pursuit of speed and precision in Saudi Arabia.