Sainz clinches historic win for Audi in 2024 Dakar Rally

The battle for overall victory in the Dakar Rally among cars has been decided, with Carlos Sainz winning the world-famous event for the fourth time.

The 61-year-old Spaniard already increased his lead on Sebastian Loeb on Thursday due to a bad luck moment of the World Rally Championship legend.

All Sainz had to do on Friday was finish the stage, and the father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr. did that successfully to claim Audi's first-ever victory in the car category of the rally, taking victory by one hour and 20 minutes from the Toyota of Guillaume de Mevies.

Sainz Sr. did not win a single stage, but around him, he saw a number of competitors continually fall away. Teammates Stephane Peterhansel and Mattias Ekstrom also experienced mechanical problems and helped the driver to the overall victory in the final week.

For Audi, which is stepping down after this year, it is the crowning achievement.

The German brand entered the event in an attempt to to win the world's toughest rally with an electric-powered car and succeeded in its third and final year.

Ricky Brabec crowned himself winner in the motorcycles.