10 January 2023 , 16:28
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Carlos Sainz appeared assured of the health of his father as he reacted to news the rallying legend had suffered a big crash while competing in the Dakar Rally.
Sainz Snr was only a few kilometres into the ninth stage of the world famous rallycross event when he rolled his Audi RS 1 E-Tron after jumping over a sand dune. At first he and his co-pilot Lucas Cruz appeared unscathed as they were helped by locals to turn the car back onto its wheels.
But soon after Sainz was complaining of pain in his torso and so a medical helicopter was arranged to transport him to a nearby hospital. He boarded the aircraft which then took off, but soon after the 60-year-old was demanding to be returned to the desert.
"New episode in the Sainz saga on Stage 9: the Spaniard asked the medical helicopter on its way to the hospital to turn back and take him to his car. He is now back with Lucas Cruz waiting for their assistance vehicle," was the official message from the Dakar Rally social media account.
Journalist Ruben Carballo tweeted that the veteran driver did indeed go back to the Rally to meet team-mate Cruz and was picked up by an assistance vehicle. He posted pictures of workers trying to repair the damaged motor in a bid to complete today's stage after returning to the race.
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However, their efforts proved to be in vain. Sainz Snr later confirmed on social media: "Unfortunately, in today's accident, the car was seriously damaged and cannot be repaired. It is with great regret that we have to abandon the Dakar, but the important thing is that nothing serious has happened."
Sainz Jnr had been in Saudi Arabia, where the rally is taking place, during the early stages of the competition to cheer on his father. But he returned home a few days ago after an FIA investigation over a potential breach of the Dakar Rally rules – and to prepare for the upcoming F1 season with Ferrari.
The Spaniard took to his own social media account to show that he was aware of what had happened to his father, and to apparently give his blessing to the news that he had returned to his car to try to complete the stage. He simply wrote: "Never give up."
Carlos Sainz Jr took to Instagram to send support to his father (Getty Images)Sainz Snr's bullish desire to get back to his car means he and his co-pilot remain in with a chance of finishing the rally. Their hopes of winning appear to have evaporated completely, however.
Another rallying legend, Sebastien Loeb, won the ninth stage with enough of an advantage to move himself and co-pilot Fabian Lurquin into the podium places.
The Frenchman will have second place in his sights also, though current standings leader Nasser Al-Attiyah's advantage remains a comfortable one.