Victory for Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz (Audi RS Q e-tron) in the first stage of the Dakar Rally 2023, a triumph that has placed them as leaders of the race on the first day of the new year.

The Spanish pilots had a great day. After a puncture in the first part of the race and losing time to his rivals, the Spaniard made a good end of the time trial, managing to come back to win the 368 kilometers of the day and thus taking the lead of the race.

Carlos Sainz: “I’m happy with today’s stage, although the day started difficult because of a puncture at the beginning, as there were a lot of stones. After repairing it we decided to go slowly until the second part of the special, where there was more sand and there we pushed a little. Very happy but this has just begun, we have to be super cautious, but it’s better to start like this. Tomorrow we have to open up and maybe lose some time, but that’s the Dakar”.

Tomorrow’s stage
SEA CAMP > ALULA: Link > 158 km – Special > 430 km
On the road to al AlUla you can’t expect to spend an ordinary day. The day’s special stage will follow mainly closed tracks where precision driving will be rewarded. Those who do not manage to harvest seconds, because they have mismanaged some delicate areas full of rocks, for example, will at least be able to enjoy the spectacle offered by the landscape. First, magnificent canyons will be crossed and then, near the finish line, the final stretch will be contested between dunes, with part of the majestic Nabataean temples on the horizon.