The FIA has defended its decision to prevent Carlos Sainz Sr and Sebastien Loeb from completing the 2025 Dakar Rally after both sustained roll cage damage to their cars. Two of the most high-profile drivers in this year’s Ultimate field were thrown out following separate rollovers in the opening three stages of the event.

Defending champion Carlos Sainz is nearly an hour off the pace in the Dakar Rally after his car flipped in the Saudi Arabia dunes.

Carlos Sainz's defence of his Dakar Rally title ended prematurely on Monday when the Spaniard was forced to pull out after the marathon 48-hour stage won by Lithuanian driver Rokas Baciuska.

Carlos Sainz Sr will take no further part in the 2025 edition of Dakar Rally after sustaining heavy damage to his Ford Raptor during the 48-hour Stage 2. Sainz’s car rolled over and landed on its roof after a dune jump 327km into Sunday’s test near Bisha in Saudi Arabia.

Carlos Sainz's Dakar Rally ended on Monday after the defending champion's damaged Ford Raptor was ruled out after just two stages of the gruelling two-week race in the Saudi Arabian desert.

Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz made history when he won his fourth Dakar Rally last year and is confident that he has what it takes to challenge for victory in this season's gruelling race in Saudi Arabia.