Updated On: 19 January, 2024 04:25 PM IST | Paris | mid-day online correspondent
The two-time world rally champion known as `El Matador` had been all but guaranteed success when closest rival Sebastien Loeb was stranded in the desert for over an hour in Thursday`s penultimate stage

Team Audi Sport`s Spanish driver Carlos Sainz closes his door after the finish line of the stage 11 of the 2024 Dakar Rally (Pic: AFP)
Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz won the gruelling Dakar Rally 2024 for a fourth time on Friday, becoming at 61 the oldest winner of the race.
The two-time world rally champion known as `El Matador` had been all but guaranteed success when closest rival Sebastien Loeb was stranded in the desert for over an hour in Thursday`s penultimate stage.