Dakar Rally 2024: Legend Carlos Sainz takes 4th title at 61, China's female racer Sun Xiangyan shines

After a total distance of almost 8,000 kilometers trek on roads, tracks and dunes, the 2024 Dakar Rally came to an end on Friday.

It was the 46th edition of the event and the fifth race that was organized in Saudi Arabia which kicked off on January 5 through 12 stages.

Winners:

Bike: American racer Ricky Brabec of Team Monster Energy Honda

Car: Spain's Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz of Team Audi Sport

Challenger: Spain's Cristina Gutierrez Herrero and co-driver Pablo Moreno Huete of Team Red Bull Off-Road

Classic: Spain's Carlos Santaolalla Milla and co-driver Jan Rosa i Viñas of Factorytub Team

Quad: Argentina's Manuel Andujar of 7240 Team/Dragon Rally Service

SSV: France's Xavier De Soultrait and co-driver Martin Bonnet of Team Sebastien Loeb Racing

Truck: Czech Republic's Martin Macik, co-driver Frantisek Tomasek and mechanic David Svanda of MM Technology Team

Carlos Sainz, father of F1 racer Carlos Sainz Jr., won the car race for the fourth time, becoming the oldest race winner at 61.

"I think the energy comes from the passion I have," he said. "It's obviously, believing in yourself, believing that you can still drive and a lot of work behind the scenes as well."

"To be here at my age and to stay at the level, you need to work a lot beforehand. It doesn't just come like that. It shows that when you work hard, normally it pays off."

"So proud to see you at the top again!" son Carlos Sainz Jr. tweeted via X.

"Winning a Dakar is not easy, but winning 4 is for absolute legends! Those of us around you know how much of a sacrifice it is to repeat the challenge every January and even more being a senior. To put a whole year's work on the line in less than 15 days is for the brave and you have proved to be the bravest of all. We love you dad," he noted.

Chinese racers at Dakar Rally 2024

Bike:

Fang Xiangliang of Kove Team finished 50 while his teammate Sunier finished 97. 

Zhang Min of Zero Mileage Rally Team ranked 54, but his teammate Zhao Hongyi withdrew in stage 8.

Car:

Zi Yungang and co-driver Hong Yupan of Yunxiang China T1+ Team took the 87th position. 

Female driver Sun Xiangyan and her co-driver Tian Yu of 212 Hanwei Motorsport Team made their debut and finished 107.

Two Chinese pairs had withdrawals in the stage 6. They were veteran racer Han Wei and his co-driver Ma Li of 212 Hanwei Motorsport Team, and Liao Min and Sun Ping of Yunxiang China T1+ Team.

Liu Feilong and Wang Yicheng of Yunxiang China T1+ Team withdrew in the stage 10.

50-year-old Sun Xiangyan and her co-driver Tian Yu debuted in the Dakar Rally 2024 to make her "unattainable" dream a reality.

Sun has become the first Chinese female racer who finished with a ranking in the race.

"I've always liked cars. I am good at desert cross-country. The first time I heard about the Dakar was in 2013. Back then, it was an unattainable dream for me. The Dakar is the ultimate dream of any racing driver. Now I have accumulated many years of experience on my racing journey, and it's very exciting to be taking part in the Dakar for the first time. My dream has finally come true," Sun told the Dakar.com.

A low carbon 2030 horizon

This year, the Dakar Future Mission 1000 project was launched to feature hybrid engines with hydrogen solutions or using bio-fuels.

"The Dakar 2024 will serve as a laboratory with a view to a low carbon 2030 horizon. More than an automobile competition, it's a challenge open to Alternative Energy Vehicles," said organizers.

Two Chinese racers Su Wenmin and Cai Gangjun, both from Arctic Leopard Factory Racing Team, finished third and fifth in the hybrid engines category.

Tribute

Spanish motorcyclist Carles Falcon of TwinTrail Racing Team died from injuries he suffered following a fall in stage 2 on January 7.