This news will disappoint Dakar enthusiasts: Carlos Sainz, a legend of the event with four victories, had to withdraw from the 2025 edition after only two stages.
His journey abruptly ended following a dramatic rollover in his Ford Raptor T1+. This incident highlights the rally’s difficulty, where each stage can turn into a test of mechanical and mental endurance.
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A fatal off-road incident for the Sainz-Cruz duo
The mishap occurred at mile 203 of the second stage, a challenging special in the Saudi dunes near Bisha. After a poorly negotiated jump, the Raptor driven by Carlos Sainz and his co-driver Lucas Cruz rolled over and landed on its roof. Although the duo managed to bring the car back to the bivouac to assess the damage, the FIA technical commissioners’ diagnosis was definitive: the safety roll cage was too damaged to ensure their protection in the event of another accident. According to the rules, any critical deformation of the roll cage forbids any attempt at repair. This tough but seemingly fair regulation prioritizes pilot safety above all. That’s unfortunate, it’s like Hamilton having to retire while his F1 car is still capable of racing… Ford, in its first year as an official team at the Dakar, confirmed the news in a statement, emphasizing that pilot safety indeed remains a priority.
Same driver, same crash, 16 YEARS apart! 😱
It was deja vu for 🇪🇸 Carlos Sainz Sr at the 2025 @dakar! 👀#Dakar2025 | #DakarInSaudi | #SBSDakar pic.twitter.com/Z9Eox4Uc4C
— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) January 6, 2025
A challenging first year of Dakar for Ford
Carlos Sainz’s withdrawal is a significant setback for Ford, which hoped to make a strong impression at the 2025 edition with its new official team. This reversal comes as Nani Roma, another iconic team driver, also experienced technical issues. Forced to stop to fix an engine problem during the second stage, Roma will, however, be able to continue racing from the third stage. With two of its star drivers out of the potential podium, Ford is now betting on Mattias Ekström, who is currently in fifth place overall, just 13 minutes behind leader Henk Lategan (Toyota). Despite this rough start, the American manufacturer remains in contention and continues to leverage experience to refine its strategy in this highly demanding discipline.
Disappointment, but not the end of the road
For Carlos Sainz, this withdrawal is particularly bitter, especially since he won the 2024 Dakar brilliantly. Known for his tenacity and skill, the Spaniard, father of the equally famous Formula 1 driver, understands that setbacks are an integral part of this legendary race. His withdrawal does not diminish his historical contribution to the competition or his role as a mentor for the younger generation of drivers. Sainz’s withdrawal also highlights the inherent risks of an event as demanding as the Dakar, where even the most experienced drivers are not immune to errors or technical failures. But with new technical regulations and the rise of new players like Ford, don’t worry, Dakar 2025 promises to be full of surprises even without one of its greatest figures.
This article explores Carlos Sainz’s premature exit from Dakar 2025, the challenges faced by Ford in its first year as an official team, and the impact of this withdrawal on the competition. A story that perfectly illustrates the harsh reality of this legendary rally.
Images: © Red Bull Content pool
