Carlos Sainz prepared for the Wacky Races and the Dakar Rally

After the 2022 ‘trials’ at Dakar, Carlos Sainz (Madrid, 1962), in an interview with EFE, confirmed that “The intention in 2023 is to succeed” with the Audi hybrid project. He will do so after participating in the Crazy Cars race organized by Red Bull which will take place for the first time in Madrid on October 22, revealing its secrets.

In a conversation with EFE, the two-time world rally champion and three-time Dakar champion also reviewed the moment his son was going through, where it shares a name, after “bad luck” at the start of the season with Ferrari. He urges him to “keep working” to achieve the “little confidence” he lacks to make the most of a car that has, until now, been to fight for victories and for the Formula 1 World Championship.

Question: What does it feel like to join the Red Bull Wacky Races project?

Answer: It has been organizing in different countries for several years and now fortunately we are touched by Spain. Insanely funny. A slightly different race where everyone has to make a car, which is down and without an engine, you just have the brakes … The design is also scored, rewarding the craziest and funniest. This is a pass.

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Q: What advice would you give to the person who wants to sign up?

A: That he thinks it’s a fun car and that it’s within the size of what it’s possible for the car to handle, that it has moderate brakes, I don’t know if there will be any jumps during the race.… You have to think of everything. In my experience, sometimes cars break in two, lose tires, fall off … you have to make a car pretty Dakarian in that sense.

Q: Have you ever convinced a colleague to join?

A: Not for the moment (laughs), but I’m sure someone will join.

Q: When the project was presented for its dispute in Madrid through its social networks, it was played that “you will return to the asphalt”. Is there anything left you have to prove after your extensive career?

A: Yes, I have things missing, but time is getting short. It is a good action to develop that question. Many people have written to me asking if it was a Formula 1 or a Formula E.

Q: Before going to the last Dakar, we asked you about the complexity of your Audi. What secrets does the vehicle have that will compete against it on October 2 in the Wacky Races?

A: Some secret (laughs). The secret here is to have fun. We all want to win, and I’m sure everyone will try to do so.

Q: The winning root has come out … will we see him in a few months at the 2023 Dakar?

A: That’s the intention, yes. At Audi, we were working on an evolution of the car last year, trying to improve on some of the aspects where we suffered, even if the car performed very well. All doubts about the possibility of this project with the combustion engine as the generator to charge the batteries, the two electric motors … it worked very well. We hope to be better prepared to face this Dakar.

Q: This year’s Dakar was a bit “bitter”, as you comment at the end of it, due to road book problems. Did someone come to you that would innovate in doing so?

A: The truth is we are still not talking about the organization. What we trust is the road book is right, where there is navigation but it doesn’t turn into a lottery. Clearly there was a mistake, and we should try to avoid it.

Q: Going back to the Audi project. It was groundbreaking in 2022 and, as you say, it worked well. In 2023 will they start as candidates for success?

A: The intention is that. After last year, the intention was to go for success, to try, of course. That is the goal. Starting in July we will start testing. The intention is to participate in the Morocco Rally to prepare well for the race and get as prepared as possible.

Q: You will repeat at Audi as your child recently signed the renewal at Ferrari. Two more seasons guarantee him four years with the historic Italian team. Not all pilots can say that …

A: This is definitely good news. It’s true he’s been a bit tough and unlucky in the last two races. He also finished all races last year and finished over 30 … I see him confident, eager. When I talk to him, he tells me that he feels he lacks confidence.but nothing could be solved in the next two or three races.

The important thing now is that I can have a good career in Miami, score points and get ready and confident for the Home Grand Prix.

Q: Carlos Sáinz junior said in an interview a few months ago: “I need to listen more to my father.” What can you say to overcome these moments of difficulty?

A: I have nothing new to say. He knows that in the world of sports, not just in the world of motor, although here the hard is sometimes not just up to you., it depends on a mechanic, vehicles around … but in the world of sports there are no secrets: work, work and more work; he has talent and he has a lot of it, you have to keep gnashing your teeth to achieve that confidence, where very little is left of him, and I am convinced that he will give us a lot of joy this year, and the next two are more.

You have to trust and work. We’ve already seen it at Real Madrid, we shouldn’t lower our arms. The world of sports teaches you that you don’t have to give up until after the competition. We also saw it in him last year, rising two places in the world standings in the last race. You have to do this throughout the year. The past year has also started in complex ways, from less to more. Such is the sport.

Q: Let’s take a look at Miami, but what better way to make your debut in F1 and with Ferrari than with a victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 22, right?

A: It’s free to dream, I always say. In addition, you need to dream with ambition. Why not? Goals should always be ambitious and, even with great humility, dream big things