Dakar 2024: a fourth victory for Carlos Sainz?
Two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz is looking for another podium finish at the Dakar Rally. The Spaniard already boasts three victories in the event. He will be looking to challenge nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb from January 5 to 19 in Saudi Arabia.
From January 5 to 19 next year, the Dakar Rally makes its big comeback. It will be held in Saudi Arabia for the fifth time. In total, 110 crews will participate in this competition, in the car category. Among them, the double world rally champion (1990, 1992), Carlos Sainz. The father of the F1 driver is aiming for a fourth victory and a first with Audi.
For Audi, the year 2024 could be crucial, according to the impressions of Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver, three-time winner of the event, aspires to a 4th victory to reward the efforts deployed on the innovative project of the Audi RS Q e-tron. For Carlos Sainz, his third participation in the Dakar rally with the German colors, may be the last : « We approach this Dakar knowing that this will be the last year for Audi Sport, that it’s this year or never », admits Carlos Sainz.
The Audi team took advantage of its two years of experience to modify their vehicle and make it more reliable. With the prospect of a commitment to Formula 1 in 2026 looming, creating a certain tension with the rally-raid program, the German brand finds itself in a decisive moment.
« Due to the complexity of the project, we knew it would take us a little over three years to achieve victory. But we have worked as hard as possible since the beginning of the summer, especially on the suspensions, to avoid having the same problems as last January. It will not be easy. But I think we can fight right from the start with the Toyota and Prodrive » says the Spanish driver to Motorsport.
A trial under the sign of hope for Carlos Sainz
After a Dakar 2023 marked by an accident forcing the Spaniard to withdraw, Carlos Sainz remains hopeful with an improved Audi: « This is the best Audi, there is no doubt about it, it could not be otherwise » he declared for Motorsport.
The team has primarily focused on solving the issues encountered during the trials and the 2023 edition. Lucas Cruz, co-pilot of Carlos Sainz, highlights the challenge of the additional weight of the car: « The main handicap we will have in the fight for victory will be the weight, which will affect us not only in acceleration, but also in braking, in turns and on rough terrain. »
Despite a higher weight, Sainz and Cruz remain optimistic about the increased power of the Audi RS Q e-tron on the upcoming Dakar, thus reducing the need to take excessive risks. « We are a hundred kilos heavier, but with this power, it’s compensated, and we will be more on an equal footing, without having to take these risks that we took the first two years to try to beat them. On the Dakar, if you take a lot of risks, you can gain time, but there are always traps, and whether you are brave or not, they catch up with you, » the Spaniard told Motorsport.
The two friends are motivated: « The energy and desire to win a historic victory are there, and we are all extremely motivated. I have the privilege of continuing to do what I love and at the highest level with Carlos. We only think about victory and we believe in it » declares Lucas Cruz. For Carlos Sainz, it’s far from his last race despite his 61 years: « I don’t think this will be my last race. We will see if there is a project that excites me in the future. When I go home, I always analyze the race and I will continue to do so » concludes the Madrilenian.
