‘When you get knocked down, get up again’ is the motto Carlos Sainz Sr took with him to the 2023 Dakar Rally this year after he ordered a medical helicopter to return him to the event after a crash.
Himself, the father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr, and co-driver Lucas Cruz started the 359km long ninth stage on Tuesday only to have it come to a brief end just 6km in.
The pair jumped over a sand dune in their Audi RS Q e-tron too hot, landing the vehicle on its nose into and ultimately flipping it on its roof.
While they managed to roll it back onto its wheels with the help of some spectators, Sainz reported pain in his torso and decided to play it safe by calling in a medical helicopter.
It was only until he was part way to the nearby Hospital in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh when he ordered it to turn around and take him back to the rally.
Apparently Sainz and Cruz got the Audi going again but were unable to complete the stage.
The World Rally Champion was hoping his decision to return to the race would mean finishing the Dakar was possible.
However, Sainz confirmed on Twitter that the car has been damaged beyond repair, forcing himself and Cruz to abandon the rest of the event.
Five stages remain in the 2023 Dakar Rally with Sebastian Loeb taking the win on stage 9 in his Prodrive Hunter. Nasser Al-Attiyah currently holds the overall lead in his Toyota Hilux.
Main image: Audi
