Spanish driver Carlos Sainz wins Dakar Rally for third time

Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz won the Dakar Rally for the third time on Friday, finishing with a comfortable winning margin in the first running of the event in Saudi Arabia.

The 57-year-old crossed the line in the 12th and final stage 6min 21sec ahead of nearest challenger and reigning champion Nasser al-Attiyah of Qatar, who had managed to cut Sainz's lead to just 24 seconds on Tuesday but fell back after navigation blunders.

"I feel very happy. There's a lot of effort behind this. A lot of training, practice," Sainz told the race's website.

"It has been a flat out rally since the beginning. It was fantastic, a first time in Saudi Arabia, of course you can always improve but it was a fantastic effort," he added.

Asked about defending his title next year Sainz said: "It's too early to think about it, let me enjoy this."