Motorsports Mondial

Photo: DPPI

Carlos Sainz takes stage five in Dakar Rally

“I’m happy with my day, especially since dunes, desert and off-track terrain aren’t my favourite type,” said Sainz. “We drove a good special. After 100 km we caught up with then overtook Nasser.

“He had a puncture, but afterwards he clawed back a bit of time on us. Tomorrow it will be me opening the way and the roles will be reversed.”

Sainz is still in second place in the standings, three minutes and 18 seconds behind the Qatari driver, second today ahead of the third Volkswagen of 2009 winner Giniel de Villiers.

“We had a puncture and we lost time, but afterwards we came back again and caught Carlos, finishing in front of him,” Al-Attiyah said. “I’m quite happy to finish today without any problems.

“The car is working very well. Tomorrow it will be very interesting because we start in second position. As the first car, you always lose time. I am sure tomorrow will be better for us and we will try our best. We’ll follow Carlos, just follow…”