The Dakar Rally has a strange beginning. Even before the first stage was started, one of the assistance vehicles exploded in Jeddah. One driver was injured. A few days later the FIA issued a statement.
On December 30 in Jeddah, an assistance car of the Dakar Rally suddenly exploded. The French driver Philippe Boutron had an injured leg and was taken to hospital for surgery.
FIA speaks out
On January 2, 2022, the FIA will issue a statement on the incident: "The FIA gives full support to the French driver Philippe Boutron, injured in the explosion of a vehicle assistance before the start of the Dakar Rally in Jeddah, and wishes him a speedy recovery."
"The FIA trusts the local authorities to get to the bottom of what happened and to continue to ensure the safety of the race in link with the organisers."