Paul Jeffrey
Premium
Carlos Sainz Snr. takes commanding victory for Mini as former double Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso finishes 13th, despite stage 10 roll.
Carlos Sainz shows no signs of slowing down as he nears his 60th year, the former double WRC champion producing a composed display at the 2020 Dakar this season, stroking home to victory as the 57-year-old Spaniard takes his third win on the most difficult rally in the world.
Sainz would suffer intense pressure throughout the gruelling event in Saudi Arabia from Nasser Al Attiyah and 13-time winner Stephane Peterhansel, however victory for the Spanish father of McLaren F1 racer Carlos Jnr. never really looked in doubt as Sainz wrapped up his third win with a different manufacturer at the challenging rally.
Despite taking top honours, it would be compatriot Fernando Alonso who stole many of the headlines in Saudi Arabia - the former Grand Prix driver having an exceptional event for Toyota as he belied his lack of experience in off road racing to secure some very impressive stage times; eventually crossing the line 13th overall, despite a heavy roll in the dunes early on day 10.
Alonso ran well into the top 10 for much of the rally, following a recovery from a two-hour delay to repair a damaged wheel early in the event, even setting a second fastest overall stage time on stage 8. Alonso showing impressive improvements throughout the rally, finishing the day two-week odyssey with a fourth place time on the final stage, and impressing many onlookers with the speed and consistency displayed in his Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux.
Dakar would not be without tragedy this year, the event seeing a fatality for Paulo Goncalves in the bike category, and a late accident for Edwin Straver on the penultimate stage leaving the 48-year-old in a critical condition.
Carlos Sainz shows no signs of slowing down as he nears his 60th year, the former double WRC champion producing a composed display at the 2020 Dakar this season, stroking home to victory as the 57-year-old Spaniard takes his third win on the most difficult rally in the world.
Sainz would suffer intense pressure throughout the gruelling event in Saudi Arabia from Nasser Al Attiyah and 13-time winner Stephane Peterhansel, however victory for the Spanish father of McLaren F1 racer Carlos Jnr. never really looked in doubt as Sainz wrapped up his third win with a different manufacturer at the challenging rally.
"I feel very happy. There's a lot of effort behind this. A lot of training, practice, physically, with the team… We started winning this Dakar on day one and we have gone flat out from the beginning." said Sainz Senior following his victorious final stage triumph.
Despite taking top honours, it would be compatriot Fernando Alonso who stole many of the headlines in Saudi Arabia - the former Grand Prix driver having an exceptional event for Toyota as he belied his lack of experience in off road racing to secure some very impressive stage times; eventually crossing the line 13th overall, despite a heavy roll in the dunes early on day 10.
Alonso ran well into the top 10 for much of the rally, following a recovery from a two-hour delay to repair a damaged wheel early in the event, even setting a second fastest overall stage time on stage 8. Alonso showing impressive improvements throughout the rally, finishing the day two-week odyssey with a fourth place time on the final stage, and impressing many onlookers with the speed and consistency displayed in his Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux.
Dakar would not be without tragedy this year, the event seeing a fatality for Paulo Goncalves in the bike category, and a late accident for Edwin Straver on the penultimate stage leaving the 48-year-old in a critical condition.
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