Dakar 2023 – Stage 1: Carlos Sainz ahead of Sébastien Loeb and Yazeed Al-Rajhi

Here we go for the Dakar 2023! After a warm-up of about ten kilometers yesterday, the 125 motorcycles, 93 buggies, 73 cars, 56 trucks, and 19 quads launched themselves into the Saudi desert for the 45th edition of the Dakar. For this first stage, it was Carlos Sainz who set the fastest time and takes the lead in the overall standings.

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Rédigé par Par

The serious things have begun on the Dakar. For this first stage, which is 603 kilometers long, including 368 kilometers of special sections, the first dunes and rocky tracks were on the menu for the various contenders aiming for the final victory.

As in the previous day’s prologue, it is once again an Audi that has climbed to the top of the timesheets. After Swedish driver Mattias Ekström, it was Carlos Sainz who set the fastest time. Despite a slow start to the day marked by a puncture, the father of the Ferrari Formula 1 driver prevailed with a few seconds ahead of nine-time rally world champion Sébastien Loeb’s BRX.

It took several hours of waiting to find out the rest of the rankings. Author of the third best time, Ekström was finally penalized with a 15-minute penalty for using the paper roadbook. However, this can only be used in case of emergency, in favor of the digital roadbook. As a result, the crew of the Audi number 211 ultimately drops to fourteenth place. The third step of the podium is now taken by the Toyota of Saudi driver Yazeed Al-Rajhi.

Bad day, however, for Nasser Al-Attiyah and Stéphane Peterhansel. The Qatari title holder loses over seven minutes to the stage winner after several punctures on his Toyota. Same punishment for Mr. Dakar. The one who recently granted us a long interview lets nearly nine minutes slip away for the same reasons.

Ranking Stage 1

Concurrents Team Times / Gaps
1 Sainz / Cruz Team Audi Sport 3:20:41
2 Loeb / Lurquin Bahrain Raid Xtreme +00:00:23
3 Al-Rajhi / Von Zitzewitz Overdrive Racing +00:01:59
4 Chicherit / Winocq GCK Motorsport +00:02:04
5 Terranova / Haro Bravo Bahrain Raid Xtreme +00:07:05

General ranking

Concurrents Team Times / Gaps
1 Sainz / Cruz Team Audi Sport 03:28:55
2 Loeb / Lurquin Bahrain Raid Xtreme +00:00:10
3 Al-Rajhi / Von Zitzewitz Overdrive Racing +00:02:01
4 Chicherit / Winocq GCK Motorsport +00:02:03
5 Terranova / Haro Bravo Bahrain Raid Xtreme +00:07:05
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