Carlos
Sainz
Spain
·
Rally Raid
Date of birth | April 12, 1962 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Madrid |
Age | 63 |
Nationality | Spain |
Career start | 1980 |
Disciplines | Rally Raid |
Carlos Sainz has made more World Rally Championship starts than any other driver. ‘El Matador’, as he's known, was twice crowned WRC World Champion, taking the title for Toyota in 1990 and 1992, and was runner-up a further four times.
Now retired from WRC, Carlos continues his world-class rallying career in cross-country events, notably the Dakar Rally. He's notched up some spectacular podiums since switching, including winning the 2010 and 2018 Dakar Rally and the 2009 Silk Way event in Russia.
He returned for the 2013 Dakar Rally with teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah and won the first stage. However, he later faced various problems and was forced to retire in the sixth stage due to engine failure. During the 2014 Dakar, Carlos claimed various podium positions throughout the rally – including two wins, a silver and a bronze – before unfortunately crashing out during stage 10. In the 2015 Dakar he was the fastest of the Peugeot team, but he lost two hours with mechanical problems in the fourth stage and had to retire the next day due to a nasty crash.
He returned to the Dakar in 2016 but was forced to retire at Stage 10 while leading the race, because of a mechanical failure to his car, but there was no stopping him in 2018, as Carlos won the Dakar again.
Carlos will defend his Dakar title in 2019 with the new X-raid MINI JCW Team.
As well as supporting his son Carlos Sainz Jr in his racing career, he is also an avid football fan. Carlos has been occasionally linked with senior office at Real Madrid, and once stood for the position of vice-president at his favourite club.
Carlos Sainz is a Dakar Rally legend
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
Carlos Sainz victorious for a fourth time at the Dakar
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
Carlos Sainz is a four-time winner of the Dakar
© Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool
Carlos Sainz is at home behind the wheel
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool