FIA release official statement over DISQUALIFICATION...

FIA release official statement over DISQUALIFICATION…read more

The FIA has issued an official statement regarding the disqualification of two prominent figures, including Red Bull athlete Carlos Sainz Sr., from the 2025 Dakar Rally. This follows an incident in which Sainz, a legendary motorsport competitor, was forced to withdraw from the prestigious event after suffering a significant accident during stage two.

Carlos Sainz Sr., the 62-year-old veteran driver, had entered the 2025 Dakar Rally with high expectations after clinching his fourth Dakar title in 2024. Known for his successful career in rallying, Sainz Sr. has long been one of the sport’s most respected figures. With two World Rally Championship titles and a history of iconic victories, including becoming the oldest Dakar Rally winner in 2023, he had a lot of momentum heading into this year’s race.

Sainz Sr.’s illustrious career also saw him recently making his debut in a Ferrari F1 car, as a farewell gift from the team, before being replaced by Lewis Hamilton. However, despite his extensive experience and success, Sainz’s 2025 Dakar Rally campaign ended prematurely due to an accident in stage two.

While competing in the challenging conditions of the Dakar Rally, Sainz’s Ford Raptor was involved in a serious crash, rolling over in the stage. Although he was able to finish the stage, the damage to the car was significant, especially to the roll cage, a vital safety feature of the vehicle. Alongside Sainz, nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb suffered a similar fate, also crashing in stage three. Both drivers were informed by the FIA that they would be unable to continue in the race due to the damage to their vehicles.

The FIA has now explained the reasoning behind the disqualification of Sainz and Loeb. According to the FIA’s Cross-Country Director, Jerome Rousel, the key issue was the integrity of the roll cage. Rousel emphasized that as soon as a car experiences an accident during the rally, it must undergo an inspection by the event’s commissaries before any repairs can be made. If the roll cage has been damaged, as it was in both Sainz’s and Loeb’s cases, the vehicle cannot continue in the event.

Rousel elaborated that while it is technically possible to repair a damaged roll cage, such repairs are extremely difficult to perform on-site in the harsh and remote conditions of the Dakar Rally. To restore the car to a homologated standard, a damaged roll cage would need to be replaced with an identical one, a process that is not feasible in such a short time frame or in the middle of a desert. Any attempts to weld over cracks or add extra material would violate safety regulations and compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity.

“The rule is simple,” Rousel stated. “As soon as the roll cage is damaged, the car cannot continue, because the roll cage would no longer be identical to the homologated version.” This strict enforcement of safety regulations was the primary reason for the disqualification of Sainz and Loeb, as their cars could not be deemed safe for continued competition after sustaining roll cage damage.

The FIA’s stance on roll cage damage has been consistent across all motorsport events for decades, underscoring the critical role that this safety feature plays in ensuring the protection of drivers during high-speed events like the Dakar Rally. The FIA’s decision to disqualify Sainz and Loeb is in line with this long-standing policy aimed at maintaining safety standards for all participants.

As a result of this disqualification, both Sainz and Loeb were forced to retire from the 2025 Dakar Rally early, ending their hopes of adding another title to their illustrious careers. For Sainz, this marks a disappointing end to his bid for a fifth Dakar title, though his legacy in motorsport remains untarnished by the setback.

This disqualification has sparked debate within the motorsport community, with some questioning the severity of the regulations and others acknowledging the importance of maintaining strict safety standards. Regardless of the reactions, the FIA’s decision reflects its commitment to ensuring that safety remains the top priority in motorsport, especially in such a dangerous and physically demanding event as the Dakar Rally.