Sainz takes stage seven as Loeb retakes tournament lead - Dakar Rally 2016

The two-part Uyuni - Salta stage saw a see-sawing contest, with the teammates at the top of the field jostle for pole position throughout the stage.

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Loeb took the early lead over Sainz, however engine issues saw that reversed when Sainz returned over the Argentina border at the front of the pack. The gap blew out to nearly a full minute, with Loeb clawing back late to finish 38 seconds short at the finish line.

Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel's finish of 3 minutes and 27 seconds in third behind Sainz at the seventh stage, means Loeb retook leadership of the overall event by 2 minutes and 22 seconds.

Loeb was pleased with the finish but went on to point out the mechanical issues he faced through the stage.

"The car worked more or less, it was a turbo management problem, but we lost our focus and bit and made a navigational mistake.

"Halfway through it started working properly again, and we put on the afterburners for the rest."

Sainz comes in at third overall nearly five minutes off the pace of Loeb, with Al-Attiyah behind in fourth 17 minutes and 36 seconds behind.

The Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen rounds out the top five with a deficit of 32 minutes and 53 seconds.