Old man Sainz makes it a Dakar hat trick!

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McLaren driver Carlos Sainz Jr. often expresses his utmost admiration for his father's outstanding achievements in the world of rallying.

There's no doubt the 25-year-old's reverence for his dad - 'El Matador' as he is aptly known - will have gone up another notch following Carlos Sainz Sr's splendid third win in the Dakar on Friday.

After clinching four stage wins in the grueling two-week event, Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz had put themselves in control at the top of the car rankings onboard their X-raid Mini.

The 57-year-old took no risks on the final 167km stage, retaining an edge over Toyota's Nasser Al Attiyah who ultimately pipped Mini's Stephane Peterhansel for second.

Fourth on the day after a productive run, two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso concluded his maiden Dakar in 13th place overall, some four and a half hours behind Sainz.