(CNN) -- Carlos Sainz is closing on his first Dakar Rally car title after extending his lead with victory on Tuesday's 10th stage in the South American event. The Spaniard, who led last year's race before crashing out on the 12th stage, was 10 minutes and six seconds ahead of Volkswagen teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar after triumphing on the 238-kilometer leg from La Serena to Santiago. It was the two-time world rally champion's first stage win in this year's event and the 16th of his career, and leaves him in prime position to win with three legs to go.
@highlight
Carlos Sainz is closing on his first Dakar Rally car title after extending his lead with victory on Tuesday's 10th stage in the South American event.
@highlight
Spaniard wins Tuesday's 10th stage in the South American event to be 10 minutes ahead
@highlight
Second-placed Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar loses one minute 40 seconds, finishing fourth
@highlight
Wednesday's 11th leg sees the 14-stage race leave Chile and return to Argentina
What I did first was to get close to @placeholder, then I stayed around at 1:40.