Dakar Rally Legend Carlos Sainz Sr: The Secret Sauce Behind His Ford Revolution!
At the age of 63, the legendary Carlos Sainz Sr is gearing up for yet another thrilling chapter in the Dakar Rally saga, and believe it or not, this racing icon shows no signs of slowing down! The four-time Dakar champion is not just chasing glory; he’s fueled by a passion that ignites the tracks of the world’s most punishing motorsport event. With the race kicking off on January 3, Sainz is eager to share his secret to success, and it all boils down to one crucial element: enjoyment!
“Having fun is very important,” Sainz declared in an electrifying interview. “At this point in my career, I have to enjoy it. I know that at my age, if you don’t have fun in what you do anymore, you won’t be here. So I still have fun in what I do.” This relentless fervor for racing is the driving force behind his switch to Ford’s ambitious factory project, marking a new era as he prepares to conquer the treacherous Saudi Arabian desert.
Fresh off his 2024 victory with Audi, Sainz is placing his bets on Ford’s Raptor, which he believes offers genuine potential for triumph. “It’s always something special,” he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “You prepare yourself, you prepare the car. Together with the team, you prepare for a whole year. And you know: you only get one chance a year.”
As the countdown to the race intensifies, the pressure mounts. “When the date gets closer, it’s always nice, although those last days seem to go very slowly,” he lamented. “It feels like they are 48-hour days instead of 24 hours. I wish the last days went by a little faster.”
But it’s not just about the thrill of the race; Sainz is also keeping a keen eye on the developments of the Ford project. With his teammate Mattias Ekström’s podium finish in 2025, the evidence of Ford’s growing prowess in the desert is undeniable. “We already had a very solid car last year; we shouldn’t forget that,” Sainz emphasized, showcasing his confidence in the vehicle’s capabilities. “In our first year, we managed to get a podium finish with Mattias with a completely new car. That means the car was already at a very good level last year.”
With relentless development, the team has fine-tuned their Raptor, focusing on critical areas for improvement. “We worked on the areas for improvement this year: reducing the weight to the minimum, lowering the center of gravity, a slightly better weight distribution, and, of course, further improving and continuing to test the suspension.”
Sainz’s experience with four different manufacturers gives him unparalleled insight into what transforms a car into a Dakar champion. His philosophy revolves around versatility and the driver’s comfort, especially during grueling marathon stages. “I like a car that obviously has to function in all types of conditions,” he noted. “A car that has to behave well on gravel tracks, be solid in the dunes, and also perform well in the high camel grass.”
Comfort is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. “If you tune a car very stiff and only look at performance, I think after a few hours you start to lose weight and lose performance because the car is too stiff,” he cautioned. With fuel loads fluctuating by up to 450 pounds, the delicate balance of performance and comfort becomes critical. “Sometimes you simply need a compromise,” he concluded, as he stands on the brink of what could be yet another legendary chapter in his illustrious Dakar legacy.
As the racing world holds its breath, Carlos Sainz Sr is ready to remind us all that age is just a number, and passion is the true fuel that drives champions! Will the Ford Raptor be the key to unlocking his next monumental victory? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Dakar Rally is about to witness a spectacular showdown!









