Alberto Sainz and Audi tighten their Dakar 2024 outlook amid volatile stages
Carlos Sainz and Audi are edging toward their Dakar 2024 objectives as the race hosts a wave of unpredictable twists. The Madrid driver remains in the midst of a strong bid to secure a fourth Touareg trophy and, with four stages remaining, holds a substantial lead of nearly 25 minutes over his closest challenger. Sebastien Loeb, piloting a Hunter, remains a formidable presence in the battle for the podium and the overall standings.
The eighth stage opened with a commanding performance from the French veteran, who controlled much of the day before a late navigation mishap cost Sainz several minutes and widened the gap to roughly 24 minutes. The stage result tallies to a significant advantage for Loeb and his co-driver in shaping the overall narrative of the rally heading into the later legs of the event.
Al-Attiyah, out of contention for now
The day produced an early surprise as Nasser Al-Attiyah reported an engine failure at the 62nd kilometer and required assistance to reach the bivouac after losing more than two and a half hours. The multiple Dakar champion has switched to a Prodrive Hunter this year while awaiting his next project with another manufacturer in 2025. The breakdown complicates his ability to defend the championship in the first week and casts a shadow over his reliability in this edition. Still, there is a plan to rejoin the race with the aim of collecting points for the World Rally-Raid Championship, where he has enjoyed success in recent seasons.
Loeb and his navigator Fabien Lurquin appeared poised for a stage win as Sainz extended the gap on the general classification. The BRX pair managed to shrink the overall lead, yet a misstep at kilometer 390 hindered their progress as they struggled to identify the waypoint direction. The delay proved costly, and Loeb could not recapture the momentum, finishing the day several minutes behind Sainz. The outcome of Sunday’s stage adds another layer to the evolving fight for the top positions as the rally crosses into harder terrain and longer transits.
“I’m pushing hard all the way through this Dakar”, posted Sebastien Loeb in a social update, signaling the intensity of the pressure on the field as the event moves toward its climax.
Swedish driver Mattias Ekström, piloting the Audi RS Q e-tron, rebounded after an earlier motor issue that cost him the chance at a podium finish yesterday. He secured stage honors on Monday, edging his teammate Stephane Peterhansel who completed the day in a strong position in the overall tally. The Toyota entry driven by Chicherit managed a late surge to claim third on the stage, bumping Sainz down to fourth in the general standings. The competition now looks ahead to the ninth stage, featuring a demanding route of 417 kilometers in a loop from Ha’il to AlUla, offering a stern test for all teams as the race nears its final stretch.