Stephane Peterhansel, also called "Mr Dakar" is the most successful driver ever in the Dakar rally with his 14 wins, and has won with both motorcycle and car.
But this year there will be no new victory.
Peterhansel crashed after 212 kilometers of the seventh stage in Saudi Arabia, and map reader Edouard Boulanger injured his back.
Boulanger has been taken to hospital in Buraydah for a medical examination.
Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz also had an accident at the same place as Peterhansel, and the team had to repair his car.
Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist the drivers from Audi who now have the best chances in the summary.
The Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah won the stage.
The Argentine Luciano Benavides leads the summary.