P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sainz and Al-Attiyah dispute early Dakar Rally problems
Carlos Sainz finished second on the first day of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, but he encountered problems with three punctures in the rocky area, causing him to lose time. However, five-time winner Nasser Al-Attiyah disputed Sainz’s claim of three punctures, stating that if it were true, Sainz would still be in the stage. Despite the controversy, Al-Attiyah acknowledged Sainz’s overall performance and the challenges that lie ahead. Al-Attiyah himself experienced his share of tire setbacks, preventing him from using full throttle for a significant part of the day. Sebastian Loeb, on the other hand, had a puncture and a broken steering arm, which required repairs on the stage. Overall, it was a difficult and challenging day for the drivers, with the stage being more about survival than driving.
