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Carlos Sainz Sr Withdraws from Dakar Rally 2025 After Vehicle Damage
Carlos Sainz Sr’s participation in the 2025 Dakar Rally has come to an abrupt end after his Ford Raptor suffered significant damage during Stage 2 of the event. This incident occurred after the vehicle rolled over and landed on its roof during a dune jump, approximately 327 kilometers into the stage near Bisha, Saudi Arabia.
Despite managing to return to the bivouac and complete the stage, Sainz’s car underwent a thorough inspection by the FIA. The assessment aimed to determine whether the vehicle could safely continue in the rally. Unfortunately, the technical stewards concluded that the damage to the car’s roll cage was too severe for it to remain competitive or safe for further stages.
The FIA regulations prohibit repairs to the roll cage, as any deformation exceeding specified limits poses significant risks in the event of another accident. This was a critical factor in the decision to withdraw Sainz’s vehicle from the rally.
In a statement, Ford clarified their position regarding the withdrawal: “Due to the damage sustained to the safety cage of vehicle #225 [Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz] during the accident in the first part of the 48-hour stage of the Dakar Rally 2025 and in accordance with FIA regulations, it has been decided to withdraw the vehicle.”
The event marked Sainz’s first appearance with Ford in Dakar, and his retirement curtails his hopes for a strong showing. Prior to his withdrawal, he had already faced a setback, falling over an hour and a half behind stage winner Rokas Baciuska from Overdrive Toyota, diminishing his chances for a podium finish.
This development also poses a significant challenge for the Ford team, which had just launched its full factory presence at Dakar. Sainz’s teammate, Nani Roma, had encountered his issues earlier in the rally, bowing out of the competition due to an engine failure. Nevertheless, Roma has been able to conduct repairs and is expected to resume in Stage 3.
Currently, Ford’s best chance for success lies with Mattias Ekstrom, who stands in fifth place but trails the overall leader, Henk Lategan of Toyota, by 13 minutes.
Source
www.motorsport.com