Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz clinched his fourth Dakar Rally victory on Friday at the age of 61, making him the oldest winner in the history of the race.
Nicknamed 'El Matador,' the two-time world rally champion secured his triumph after his closest competitor, Sebastien Loeb, faced an hour-long setback in the penultimate stage.
Celebrating the win, Sainz emerged from his Audi car and embraced his son, Ferrari Formula One driver Carlos Sainz Jr. Leading since the sixth stage, Sainz, supported by fellow Audi drivers Mattias Ekstrom and 14-time champion Stephane Peterhansel, maintained control throughout the challenging race.
Finishing over an hour ahead of Belgian debutant Guillaume De Mevius (Toyota), Sainz delivered Audi their first Dakar title. His fourth win places him alongside Ari Vatanen in the rally winners' roll of honour, trailing only Nasser Al Attiyah's five victories and Peterhansel's eight car triumphs.
Sainz attributed his success to his passion and relentless dedication, stating, "It shows that when you work hard, normally it pays off." Uncertain about pursuing a fifth title in 2025, he expressed a desire to savour the current victory before contemplating the future.
In the motorbike category, American Ricky Brabec secured his second Dakar title, crossing the finishing line with a 10-minute lead over Ross Branch from Botswana. Reflecting on his achievement, Brabec mentioned having "chills down my spine" and praised his team's exceptional performance.
Meanwhile, Italian rider Gioele Meoni experienced an emotional moment as he fulfilled a promise made when his father, Fabrizio, was killed in the 2005 edition of the rally. Crossing the finish line with tears, Meoni tapped his orange KTM 450, reminiscent of his father's bike's colour, marking a poignant tribute.
