Carlos Sainz faced a brutal end to Dakar 2023, with his Audi suffering heavy damage early on and the rough course taking its toll. The Spaniard battled through the pain from the initial stages, but the relentless roughness of the route ultimately forced a difficult decision. After his car suffered serious damage, the team assessed the situation and decided to withdraw from the rally, even as the helicopter evacuation turned back with the intention to reassess in the moment.
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Carlos Sainz exhibited notable grit when he ordered the helicopter to return after an accident at the 6th kilometer of the stage. The Spanish driver, hurt but conscious, was carried to hospital by air, yet he requested the crew to rejoin the rally and leave his vehicle on site, hoping to repair the damage and press on if possible.
First images showed @CSainz_oficial and @LucasCruz74 from a private vantage point shortly after the crash at the early stage of the Dakar. The incident occurred just 6 km into the route, and posts from Dakar Rally documented the moment with a brief update on social media.
Despite the display of courage, the realization that followed was stark. The Audi sustained significant damage after a rollover near a dune during the ninth stage, and injuries to Sainz made continuing impractical. A formal announcement conveyed the decision to leave Dakar, underscoring that safety came first and that the outcome did not diminish the rally’s importance or Sainz’s career as a rally champion.