Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz (Audi RS Q e-tron) have fallen just short of victory in the eighth stage of the Dakar Rally held today between the towns of Al Duwadimi and Riyadh with 346 kilometers timed.

After a very tough few days for the Spanish drivers and the team, today they were the fastest on the special stage, but a 5-minute penalty finally put them in third place at the end of the day.

Carlos Sainz: “Very happy with today’s stage and the pace we rode, but a pity about the penalty that cost us the victory. Otherwise a very hard week for us and also for the team, but we have to keep fighting and try to have a good second week of the rally.“.

Tomorrow’s stage¡
Rest day in Riyadh
For many, the rest day is already a high-flying intermediate goal. For everyone, it will be time to evaluate the strategy and to use the time offered for recovery in a balanced way. It will be reduced for late arrivals, who will undoubtedly have to work hard on their vehicles. The rest will be divided between the maintenance necessary to resume the race with serenity and assault the dunes and the rest itself. And all this without losing concentration!