Carlos Sainz: "There is no written rule that says that Catalonia must have a Grand Prix forever"
Carlos Sainz is already looking to next January 5, at the beginning of the Dakar rally, no less than his 15th participation, in search of his fourth Touareg at 61 years old. One more challenge for the legend, who this Wednesday, accompanied by his co-driver Lucas Cruz at the Jarama circuit, celebrated the launch of his Audi RS Q e-tron, the electric-powered prototype of the brand with the four rings with the one who seeks to make history.
This is what the F1 circuit in Madrid will be like: semi-urban, 'Italian'…. And at night and crossing inside the Ifema pavilions?
And forget the bad experience of 2023, that accident that caused a double fracture of the vertebrae and, of course, the abandonment. The man from Madrid was excited about the improvements to the car, which will carry on its chassis the more than 10,000 messages of encouragement and support that fans have sent to the couple through social networks.. “Three years ago we started a complex project, with a car that looked like science fiction. We win stages, we lead the rally. This year we hope to be able to fight until the end,” Sainz challenged.
In addition to analyzing his participation in Saudi Arabia in the Dakar, the Matador did not want to miss the opportunity to talk about the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix which, as EL MUNDO announced, will move from Barcelona to Madrid starting in 2026. When asked by this newspaper, Sainz was enthusiastic about the event. “That Spain has a Grand Prix is essential. “If it is confirmed, as a Madrid native, you can imagine how happy it makes me,” he said.
Sainz and Lucas Cruz, with the Audi that will participate in the Dakar 2024. EFE
“I know what it implies, the mark that a Grand Prix leaves. The site (Ifema) is logistically unbeatable in the world. For Madrid it would be fantastic,” continued the driver, who confessed how happy it would make his son Carlos to race in his city: “I have experienced it, it is something unique and fantastic. “You're going to enjoy it a lot.”. “Madrid is a fun city, capable of the best, I am very happy. Catalonia has had it for a long time and has enjoyed it, before it was in Jerez, and there is no written rule that says it has to be forever,” he added about the possibility of Montmeló losing the Spanish Grand Prix and praising that it started from a “private initiative and no one will be able to point fingers at anyone”: “I encourage anyone who has decision-making capacity. I hope it happens,” he concluded.
Sainz's challenges are multiple. Achieving his fourth Dakar with four different teams, being the first to do so with a hybrid car and achieving it with Audi in what may be his last year in Arabia. But the Madrid native is aware of the passage of time. «I don't know my future. All the energy is in this year's Dakar and when it's over there will be time to analyze how it went, how I felt physically, how competitive I was, if I had fun… these are questions that one has to ask oneself, about everything at this point in the sports career,” he assured. «I'll give it a couple of days, be honest with myself, ask myself those things and see if the balance falls in the direction of continuing to try. I will look in the mirror, ask myself those questions and answer them. I have earned the right to have any decision respected, to continue in another project if it exists and I decide, and to stop if I decide to stop,” he added during the presentation of the car.