One of the most decorated driver-navigator tandems in rally raid history has reportedly come to an end. According to a MARCA story published Thursday, Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz mutually agreed to go their separate ways following January’s Dakar Rally.

The two had been working together since 2009, winning the inaugural Silk Way Rally in their debut race. Since then, they went on to claim four Dakar victories in 2010, 2018, 2020, and 2024.

Their final Dakar together saw them finish fifth overall.

The split comes amid speculation on whether Sainz would continue racing with Ford. His contract is set to expire, and the Blue Oval is already prepared to offer Matthias Walkner his seat if Sainz chooses to leave.

MARCA noted Cruz’s contract was solely with Sainz rather than the team. The most recent deal was actually his and Sainz’s second, as Cruz had run the 2012 through 2014 Dakars with Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Featured image credit: Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool