"2024 Has Started Well": Sainz Reacts To his Father Winning The Dakar Rally

F1
Sunday, 21 January 2024 at 03:00
sainz carlos sr dakar rally rbcp1
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. reflected on his father's achievement of winning the Dakar Rally this Friday.
Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz's holidays finished a while ago, and the Spanish driver is back in Maranello earlier this week, preparing for the 2024 season that starts in less than two months.
However, the 29-year-old had to make a short trip to surprise his father as he knew chances were high ahead of the last stage of the prestigious Dakar Rally, he would win.
Carlos Sainz Sr. ended up becoming the Dakar Champion for the fourth time in his career as he brought the victory home 1 hour and 20 minutes ahead of Guillaume de Mevius on Totyota in the second place. His son, Sainz Jr. told the media:

"There has been everything, and he has been able to get through it all. In the key stages is also where he has done the best, and that shows you that he has come very well prepared, very motivated and they have nailed it."

While Sainz Sr. didn't win a single stage, his has been the most consistent and as his son described it, smarter than anyone else.

"He had to race a lot to win, but he was smarter than anyone else and managed the race as only he knows how. The Dakar was perfect, he did the smartest Dakar I’ve ever seen him do in my life. He managed it perfectly and showed that he also has experience."

Now that his father has started the year well for the Sainz family, the Ferrari driver must try to continue in his father's successful footsteps (only in a different sport). He added:

"2024 has started well, and now we have to continue like this for the Sainz family."

Ferrari is set to announce a car that should be 95% different compared to the 2023 SF23. Will the car be fast enough to compete for the Grand Prix victories so the Spaniard can show what he's got?