Sainz nonetheless in rivalry for 2025 Dakar win in spite of rollover – Ford

Ford insists Carlos Sainz Sr nonetheless has all to play for within the 2025 Dakar Rally in spite of dropping lots of time in a crash all through the 48-hour chrono level on Sunday.

Having simply crossed the 7th checkpoint on the 325km mark, Sainz’s Ford Raptor flipped over and landed on its roof over sand, leaving him stranded within the Saudi wasteland.

His team-mate Mitch Guthrie Jr arrived at the scene quickly after to supply help, with the American supplying a rope that helped Sainz to get all 4 wheels of the automobile again at the flooring.

The rear of the Raptor sustained serious harm within the incident and the Spaniard had to take away primary chunks of bodywork prior to environment off as soon as once more.

The four-time Dakar winner misplaced over 20 mins within the stoppage and in the end introduced his hobbled automobile to Bivouac E in twenty fifth position, virtually an hour down on pacesetter Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Overdrive Toyota.

He sits twenty second within the total classification, going through a deficit of 49m33s forward of the second one a part of Degree 2 on Monday.

Malcolm Wilson, group director of M-Game Ford, printed the reason for the twist of fate and equipped an in depth account of the state of the automobile following the stoppage.

“Carlos, sadly, had an issue at round kilometre 327,” he defined. “At that time, he was once in first or 2d position, we are not certain, so he was once opening up the monitor.

‘He was once on a dune and so they landed the other way up, with the roof of the automobile at the flooring. Mitch controlled to assist him, after which he stopped for some time to clearly transfer some broken portions and that type of factor.

“It looks as if, from what now we have noticed, there is no structural harm. It is been operating at an affordable tempo, flat out after the twist of fate.

“[All Ford cars] might be in combination and with a bit of luck we will have an opportunity to put in force maintenance. Then, a very powerful factor is to carry him again day after today, and from what turns out to were misplaced, it is perhaps round an hour, which on the second one level of the Dakar is so much, however there is a lengthy approach to pass.”

The incident took place in a while after Sainz had crossed a dune round Bisha in Saudi Arabia, even if his automobile landed on slightly flat and sandy terrain.

The 62-year-old was once unfortunate that the crash happened all through the marathon level, the place exterior the aid of crews is restricted. 

He should be sure that the automobile is in excellent form prior to finishing the second one a part of Degree 2 on Monday morning.

“After 320 kilometres, to look Carlos again [was great],” mentioned Wilson. “Alternatively, it’s a must to give all of them numerous credit score as of late. 

“I believe they have all achieved an ideal activity, and it looks as if the dunes were very tricky, particularly with what took place with Carlos. It is very uncommon that you just see Final vehicles caught in dunes, it seemed very tricky dune prerequisites.”

#226 Ford M-Game Ford: Mattias Ekstrom, Emil Bergkvist

Photograph by means of: Crimson Bull Content material Pool

In spite of Sainz’s troubles, Ford remains to be having a look aggressive on its complete manufacturing unit debut in Dakar, with Mattias Ekstrom preserving fourth position within the basic standings and Nani Roma operating in 7th position.

“Nani [Roma] went really well, at one level he and Mattias have been very shut. It sort of feels that against the top, prior to everybody stopped on the provider space, he misplaced somewhat of time in each and every sector.

“Possibly he is had two knocks and brought precautions, so, if that is the case, with a bit of luck he can restore the tyres this night and be in higher form for day after today. Let’s have a look at after we listen from him, he is had any other sturdy day and he isn’t that some distance off the leaders.”