French investigators to head soon to Saudi Arabia for Dakar rally probe - source

FILE PHOTO: Rallying - Dakar Rally - Stage 2 - Al Wajh - Neom, Saudi Arabia - January 6, 2020 Sodicars Racing car driven by Philippe Boutron and Mayeul Barbet in action during stage two REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

PARIS (Reuters) - French investigators are preparing to go to Saudi Arabia soon as part of their probe into incidents targeting French nationals that have marred the Dakar sports car rally, a source with knowledge of the matter said on Friday.

French anti-terrorism prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation earlier this month into an explosion under a support vehicle at the rally at the end of December, in which French race driver Philippe Boutron was seriously injured.