Carlos Sainz reached the finish after a 175-kilometer stretch that took him into the heart of Yanbu, with no surprises along the way. The Dakar 2024 goal had been clear for the Madrid native: clinch the rally title. In a season packed with challenges and grit, the 61-year-old driver sealed his fourth Dakar crown, marking a milestone in a career that has seen him participate in 17 editions and rack up 42 stage wins. This victory also made history by placing him behind the wheel of the powerful Audi RS Q e-tron, an electric prototype that proved its mettle in one of the world’s most demanding cross-country rallies.
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Brabec finishes in Dakar and Honda regains motorcycle title
In partnership with his long-time co-pilot from Barcelona, Lucas Cruz, Sainz reiterated why he is regarded as one of the finest figures in Spanish sport. Although he crowned his career with two World Rally titles in 1990 and 1992 and achieved multiple podiums across the years, the modern era has seen rivals like Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier dominate the WRC. Yet Sainz continues to rack up records that were set more than two decades ago and remains a benchmark for consistency and ambition.
Brabec finishes in Dakar and Honda regains motorcycle title
Across the rally, Sainz began a remarkable comeback campaign by linking up with a program that embraced electric propulsion. His earlier forays in the Touareg tradition—first with Volkswagen in 2010, then triumphs with Peugeot in 2018 and Mini in 2020—laid the groundwork for a bold shift toward innovation with an electric-powered car. The early attempts presented teething problems as the new platform matured, but the resolve never waned. In 2023, a severe crash in the Saudi desert tested his resolve profoundly. Recovery brought renewed determination, and the mindset going into 2024 was straightforward: the third attempt would bring the reward.
The Dakar in Arabia is famed for its brutal conditions, and 2024 did not disappoint. The field faced some of the strictest terrain and most unforgiving routes in the event’s history. Among the frontrunners, five-time champion Nasser Al-Attiyah and Yazeed Al-Rajhi led a host of skilled competitors across the opening days. Mattias Ekström and Stéphane Peterhansel—two names synonymous with Dakar greatness—grappled with the challenging course, while Audi relied on a balanced crew of engineers and drivers to maximize performance. Their coordinated effort helped Sainz capitalize on moments when the pace mattered most and maintain a steady climb toward the title.
Social threads from the team showcased the anticipation as Sainz headed toward the finish in Yanbu, with the narrative building around the driver’s determination and his team’s confidence. The sentiment in the paddock was that the goal was tangible, and the execution mirrored the patience and precision that have defined Sainz’s career.
The defender of the crown on the day ahead was Sébastien Loeb, who finished Stage Eleven with a narrow lead before a mechanical setback altered the championship landscape. The setback created space for Sainz to secure the title without drama, allowing him to push forward with conviction. The Madrid native later reflected on the journey, noting that the victory completed a chapter and reinforced confidence in Audi as the Dakar program evaluated its long-term strategy in high-profile endurance events. The consensus among enthusiasts was that the rally’s outcome reinforced the value of persistence and the willingness to embrace innovative machinery in the race against hard terrain and fatigue.
The result for Sainz underscored a storyline of perseverance and strategic risk-taking. The season’s arc suggested that the label of “legend” fits not only for the record books but for the enduring impact he has on teammates, engineers, and fans across Spain and beyond. The Dakar triumph served as a landmark moment, illustrating how a combination of experience, courage, and technological advancement can redefine what is possible in endurance rally racing.