In photos: At 57, Carlos Sainz wins Dakar Rally
Carlos Sainz confirmed his third Dakar Rally triumph on Friday after ensuring defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah didn’t escape in the Saudi desert. Sainz stayed within minutes of Al-Attiyah’s dust on the 12th and last stage, a 167-kilometre route from Haradh to Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia. Al-Attiyah, second overall, earned his first stage win of this Dakar but Sainz finished four minutes back in sixth to secure the car title beside his victories in 2010 and 2018. All three were in different cars but with the same co-driver, Lucas Cruz.
Driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, center, is congratulated by Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, left, and driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, of Qatar, right, at the end of stage twelve of the Dakar Rally.The Associated Press
Mini's Spanish drivers Carlos Sainz of Spain and co-driver Lucas Cruz of Spain compete during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020 between Shubaytah and Haradh, Saudi Arabia.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Bahrain JCW X-Raid Team's Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz during stage 11 of the Dakar rally 2020.HAMAD I MOHAMMED/Reuters
Mini's Spanish driver Carlos Sainz concentrates inside his car during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020 between Shubaytah and Haradh, Saudi Arabia.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
First-place Mini Team Spain's driver Carlos Sainz competes during the stage 12 of the Dakar 2020 between Haradh and Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Argentinia's Luciano Benavides powers his KTM during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020 between Shubaytah and Haradh, Saudi Arabia.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Driver Blade Hildebrand, of United States, and co-driver Francois Cazalet, of France, race their Overdrive during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia.Bernat Armangue/The Associated Press
Mini's driver Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Portuguese Paulo Fiuza compete during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020 between Shubaytah and Haradh, Saudi Arabia.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Edwin Straver's Edwin Straver during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020 between Shubaytah and Haradh, Saudi Arabia.HAMAD I MOHAMMED/Reuters
Toyota's driver Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France compete during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
X-Raid Mini JCW Team's Orlando Terranova and Bernardo Graue during stage 11.HAMAD I MOHAMMED/Reuters
Monster Energy Honda Team 2020'S Kevin Benavides compete during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020.HAMAD I MOHAMMED/Reuters
Toyota's driver Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar and his co-driver Mathieu Baumel of France compete during the Stage 11 of the Dakar 2020.FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Driver Stephane Peterhansel, of France, and co-driver Paulo Fiuza, of Portugal, race their Mini during stage eleven of the Dakar Rally between Shubaytah and Haradth, Saudi Arabia.Bernat Armangue/The Associated Press