FIA release official statement over DISQUALIFICATION..read more

FIA release official statement over DISQUALIFICATION..read more

The FIA has issued an official statement regarding the disqualification of Red Bull athlete Carlos Sainz Sr. and several other competitors from the 2025 Dakar Rally after a series of incidents. The disqualifications come following a series of accidents that led to damage to key structural elements of the vehicles.

Carlos Sainz Sr., the renowned 62-year-old motorsport legend and four-time Dakar Rally winner, entered the 2025 edition of the rally with high hopes. The Spanish driver, known for his impressive career that includes two World Rally Championship titles, made history in 2024 by becoming the oldest-ever winner of the Dakar Rally. His remarkable career also saw a memorable moment when he recently drove a Ferrari Formula 1 car at the Fiorano circuit, celebrating his retirement from the team after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

Sainz’s hopes for a fifth Dakar title were dashed early in the event after he rolled his car during stage two. Despite the accident, he managed to finish the stage, but the extent of the damage to his Ford Raptor’s roll cage led to his disqualification. The FIA explained that the damaged roll cage was a critical factor in the decision to withdraw him from the race.

According to Jerome Rousel, the FIA’s cross-country director, the rules are clear when it comes to vehicle accidents during rally stages. “As soon as a car has an accident on the stage, it has to be checked by the commissaries before it can be repaired,” Rousel stated. If the roll cage is damaged in any way, the car cannot continue in the event. This regulation is consistent across all motorsport disciplines for decades.

The rule is based on the fact that a roll cage is a critical safety feature of the car, designed to protect the driver in the event of a crash. In the case of significant damage, simply welding over cracks or adding material is not sufficient to meet the safety standards. The FIA emphasized that the only acceptable solution would be to replace the damaged sections of the roll cage with identical parts, something that is not feasible in the middle of the rally due to time and logistical constraints.

Sainz’s disqualification is part of a broader issue involving multiple competitors. In addition to Sainz, nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb also experienced a similar accident in stage three, leading to his car being withdrawn as well. FIA officials confirmed that both Sainz, Loeb, and several others had to be disqualified because the damage to their roll cages rendered their cars non-compliant with safety regulations.

This decision has stirred some controversy, particularly given Sainz’s status as the reigning Dakar Rally champion and a motorsport icon. However, the FIA remains firm in its stance on the importance of maintaining strict safety protocols, emphasizing that no car with a compromised roll cage can continue in a race, as it would put the driver’s life at risk.

While the disqualifications marked an unfortunate end to Sainz’s 2025 Dakar Rally campaign, the FIA’s statement underlines the importance of adhering to safety standards that ensure the well-being of all participants in the sport. With the rally now progressing without some of its biggest stars, the remaining competitors will have to contend with the ever-present challenges of the brutal Dakar Rally.