Carlos Sainz confirms double back break after racing veteran's Dakar Rally smash

16 January 2023 , 18:07

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Carlos Sainz Snr, 60, crashed out of the Dakar Rally (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Carlos Sainz Snr confirmed he suffered a double back fracture as a result of the crash which ended his participation in the Dakar Rally.

The 60-year-old rally legend, dad of Formula 1 star Carlos Jnr, took part in the world famous rally event this month. But he was unable to complete the rally, as he was forced to retire from the event after a hefty crash which rendered his Audi out of action.

Sainz Snr was initially airlifted to hospital after suffering chest pains, but soon ordered the helicopter to turn around and take him back to the car. He and his crew tried to repair the car so they could continue but their efforts were in vain, ending the veteran's Dakar hopes.

Upon his return to Spain, the continued pain he was suffering persuaded him to visit his doctor, after which he discovered he had done more damage to himself than initially believed. Scans show he has broken his back in two places.

"On my return to Madrid from the Dakar Rally, the back pain I suffered after the incident of this year’s event persisted longer than usual," he wrote on social media. "Following medical advice, I underwent further checks to assess in detail the extent of the injury.

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"Unfortunately, the results haven’t brought good news because I fractured the T5 and T6 vertebrae. The good thing is that both vertebrae are stable and from this day on my priority will be to recover as soon as possible.

Rally racer Carlos Sainz Snr is the father of Ferrari F1 star Carlos Sainz Jnr (Getty Images)

"Thank you all for the love and support I have received over the last days. I will keep you updated." Sainz, the father of Ferrari F1 star Carlos Sainz Jnr, is no stranger to the perils of motorsport having crashed on many occasions during his lengthy career.

Still he continues in motorsport despite his age, and despite this being his second major crash in a matter of months. He was racing in Extreme E last July when his car barrel rolled after contact with a rival, which left him feeling in "quite a lot of pain".

He later said of that incident: "I am really disappointed with what happened on the track and even more so with the fact that there was only a 30-second penalty for [the driver] who caused this big accident. In over 40 years in motorsport, this is one of the most serious actions that I have ever seen without an exemplary penalty."

Daniel Moxon