Auto-motorsport·Motorautosport·7 jan 2024

All the latest Dakar 2024 news and updates from Saudi Arabia, as drivers and riders take on Saturday’s Stage 1.

Car class rookie Guillaume de Mévius made the dream start to the race proper, as he charged over a rocky Stage 1 to set the day’s fastest time. The young Belgian powered through one of the toughest opening stages in years to beat three-time winner Carlos Sainzby 1m 44s, while South African veteran Giniel De Villiers used all of his experience to finish in third place, 9m 18s behind. Former T3 class stage winner de Mévius said: “I’m quite surprised about the timings. There was a lot of dust and a lot of guys to pass. The key was avoiding punctures and staying calm in the dust.”