Saudi Jazid Al Rajhi Drops from Dakar 2024 Lead as Sainz Seizes Momentum
In the middle of the Dakar 2024 rally raid, Saudi driver Jazid Al Rajhi, competing under Overdrive Racing, had been leading the general classification through most of Thursday. His campaign to defend the top spot faced a dramatic setback when he withdrew at the start of the king-queen stage, a decisive long-distance segment designed to separate the field. The withdrawal shifted the focus in the standings to the Spanish challenger Carlos Sainz, who drives for Audi, and to Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar, piloting a Prodrive entry. These developments reshaped the battle for ultimate victory as the rally pressed deeper into the desert routes. [Source attribution]
Dakar organizers and team sources described Rajhi’s exit as a vehicle failure that occurred just as the 48-hour time trial began. The team reported that the car became immobilized after getting bogged down in sand dunes roughly at the 51st kilometer of the sixth stage. The incident occurred at a critical junction where endurance and navigation must align perfectly to preserve a lead in the general classification. The stoppage left the field to reconfigure themselves around the new leaders, with Sainz’s car running as the virtual stage leader for a moment as the action unfolded. [Source attribution]
Following the 51st kilometer, Sainz found himself in a position of advantage on the timing sheets. While he led the current stage briefly, he faced a six to eight minute gap behind the overall pace setters as the other competitors continued to push forward. The situation highlighted the strategic complexity of Dakar where stage results and overall standings can diverge rapidly due to mechanical reliability, sand navigation, and desert conditions. The temporary status as a stage leader did not yet translate into a definitive shift in the general classification, but it did place Sainz in a more favorable position in the unfolding race. [Source attribution]
As the rally progressed, Sainz and Al Attiyah remained central figures in the narrative of the race. The Madrid-born driver was pursuing a possible comeback after enduring the day’s unexpected turn and was positioned to capitalize on any further missteps by Rajhi or issues faced by his rivals. Al Attiyah, already a two-time winner of the event, carried the weight of experience and championship momentum into the remaining stages, seeking another title and aiming to tighten the gap behind the leaders. The dynamic between these top contenders captured the attention of fans across the sport as the desert test continued. [Source attribution]
In the hours that followed, teams and fans watched closely as the race moved into more challenging sectors. The outcome remained uncertain, with every kilometre offering a new possibility for shifts in the standings. The enduring message from Dakar 2024 was clear: reliability, pace, and the ability to adapt to the shifting sands of the desert are all essential to securing victory. This episode underscored the unpredictable nature of rally raids, where a single setback can alter the trajectory of the event and redefine the conversation around who is best suited to endure the toughest marathon rally on the calendar. [Source attribution]