“It’s hard for us to understand the roadbook, but staying close is good”

Carlos Sainz (Audi) At the end of the fourth stage of the Dakar, he assured that it was difficult for them to “understand the roadbook” on Tuesday, but he said that “with all those ahead, continuing to be there, being close, is fine. “

Sainz, who finished the stage fourth and remains second overall, 4 minutes and 29 seconds behind Saudi Jazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing), explained that they were “suffering a lot” to understand the stage scorebook and that , in addition, his main problem is the dust of following Romain Dumas (Rebellion Racing).

“We caught him and followed him for quite a few kilometers. We reached neutralization and he saw that we were behind, twenty seconds behind, but we pressed the Sentinel -to overtake- repeatedly and after 30- 40 km, when he “It moved to let us pass, we were in the dust and boom, puncture. I hit a rock and nothing… we didn’t have much luck there, but that’s typical in Dakar,” Sainz commented.

The Madrid native, who was handed a ten-second penalty at the end of the stage, explained that he would speak to Dumas to explain what had happened, although he stressed that “with everything ahead, it’s fine to stay close. “

When asked about this Wednesday’s episode, he said that “we have to look again at the tactics, because nobody wants to open tomorrow without a trace of motorcycles”, from next Wednesday and next Thursday the ’48 hours ‘ takes place. time trial’, where cars enter the Empty Quarter desert on a different route than motorcycles.

“There can be a lot of difference in those two days. A small train can be formed and, then, as it leaves from minute to minute on the second day, then whoever leaves on the last train can make up a lot of time, because it’s always easier to leave the back. You have to have a bit of luck and also be smart with your tactics,” insisted the Audi driver.

Regarding whether the race will be decided in the Empty Quarter or in the second week, he said that “we have to come alive with options for the rest day and if so, it will be decided next week.”

Also, asked about the fact that the third day has passed after the Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah (Prodrive) said that the Audis will not last more than three days at Dakar 2024, Sainz concluded: “I just hope they don’t last. three days, let them last three weeks”.