Sainz’s Dakar chances “gone” after nightmare 48h stage

Carlos Sainz Sr has conceded his chances of winning the Dakar Rally for a second year in a row and fifth time overall are “gone” after a disastrous Stage 2.

The Spaniard endured a number of issues during the challenging 48-hour chrono stage, rolling his Ford Raptor on the first day of the test.

Although Sainz was able to right his machinery and reach one of the six bivouacs after the 5pm local time cutoff for the first day, further time was lost in the quest to finish the stage as navigation issues and a puncture dropped him over an hour behind in the overall classification.

“The summary is that everything went wrong,” Sainz explained to a small group of media, including Autosport.

“Yesterday we had the accident and lost quite a lot of time. Then we got lost in one place, then this morning we had another puncture, and then we lost a lot of time in a place where we couldn’t find our way.

“It’s two days to forget, two very difficult days to accept, just like that, right at the start of the race – but that’s the way it is and now we have to move on, try to help the team and try to learn as much as possible.”

The Dakar runs until 17 January, where the route will finish at the end of the 12th stage, and while only two have been completed, Sainz has already downplayed his victory chances – unlike M-Sport Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson – given the difficulties he has already faced.

“There is still a lot of race left. Obviously, my chances of winning are gone, but as I say, if I can help the team, I can learn and I can try something, so much the better.

“We knew that this 48-hour stage was going to be decisive. It was for us, of course, and for other people too, but that’s the way it is. It was like this, it was our turn and maybe it was a very tough start to the rally.”

On his chances of at least winning stages, Sainz revealed lasting effects from his crash: “I want to recover, both emotionally and physically, and try to help the team – and if I can win a stage, all the better.

“My back hurts a bit, it’s a bit sore, but I don’t think there’s anything out of the ordinary, just the blow.”