Carlos Sainz Sends Heartfelt Message to Father Ahead of Dakar Rally

Ahead of the 2026 Dakar Rally, F1 driver Carlos Sainz has publicly shared a heartfelt message of admiration for his father, two-time World Rally Champion and four-time Dakar winner, Carlos Sainz Sr. The Williams driver, who experienced co-driving with his father last summer, expressed his growing respect for the challenges of rally-raid racing and wished his dad luck in his 19th attempt at the grueling event.

Why it matters:

The story bridges the gap between Formula 1 and the world of rally-raid, showcasing a powerful motorsport legacy. For Sainz Jr., it's a moment to acknowledge the immense skill and mental fortitude required outside the F1 bubble, while for fans, it offers a rare glimpse into the respect and inspiration that flows between generations of elite athletes.

The details:

• A Champion's Mindset: The 63-year-old Sainz Sr. is targeting his fifth Dakar victory, having already won the event four times (2010, 2018, 2020, 2024) with his longtime co-driver Lucas Cruz.
• Firsthand Experience: The younger Sainz gained a new perspective last summer, spending time in the co-driver and driver's seat of his father's Ford Raptor T1+. He wrote that the experience gave him a "small taste" of the challenge and increased his admiration.
• Confident Preparations: Sainz Sr. enters the race with increased confidence in the Ford Raptor T1+ after more extensive testing. He emphasized that in a race with closely matched cars, reliability and suspension optimization will be the key differentiators.
• Fierce Competition: He highlighted a deep field of over 15 potential winners, including rivals like Sébastien Loeb, Nasser Al-Attiyah, and a new generation of fast drivers, making this year's event particularly unpredictable.

What's next:

With the rally underway, all eyes will be on whether Sainz Sr. can once again conquer the world's most demanding rally. Despite the intense competition, his mindset remains singularly focused. As the four-time champion stated, his only objective is clear: to win it all again.