Defending event winner Al-Attiyah has endured a torrid run in the 46th edition of Dakar following his switch from Toyota to Prodrive, with a combination of accidents and reliability problems forcing him out of the event.
The Qatari driver had been on the back foot since he dropped 25 minutes to the leaders on the opening stage, and his hopes of securing a sixth career victory formally ended when his Prodrive Hunter took severe damage in a hard landing in the 48-hour chrono test last week.
Al-Attiyah could have still salvaged some points in the World Rally-Raid Championship in the second week of Dakar, but an engine breakdown on Monday forced him to withdraw from Stage 8.
He had barely started Tuesday's Stage 9 when a problem with the rear suspension left him with no option but to return to the bivouac via road. He formally pulled out of the rally at the end of the day.
After reaching the bivouac, the 53-year-old cast doubt on his future with Prodrive, saying he does not wish to drive the Hunter again.
The five-time Dakar winner is set to join Renault brand Dacia in 2025 in a programme that will be run by the British organisation.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to get back in this car," said Al-Attiyah.
"You know, I've made up my mind, I just came to say thank you, and I'm going home tonight.
"This year, for the Dakar, I learned something, you know, in my life and, yeah, this will never happen again."
Source: Autosport