Carlos Sainz I was very hurt. Anger. He appeared in the middle of the Ford service and met Mattias Ekström. “Do it,” he told him, making it clear that he had to win the Dakar, that this was his chance, that it was his time to fight for Ford for the rest of the event. And then, the Madrid driver spoke to MD and the rest of the Spanish press present at the Dakar 2025 bivouac.
The pilot is fully responsible for the error that caused his rollover because he went exactly to the point of the dune where there was a big cut, things that can happen when a pilot rolls in front of a stage without a trace of motorcycles. According to Carlos, the cut sand caused his car to overturn at a speed of 20 km/h. He did not have to rush to experience an accident that destroyed his car and his ambitions this Dakar 2025.
‘El Matador’ explained that the FIA does not want to accept that Ford adjust the safety arch of its car, something that by regulation can only be done by the manufacturer. Ford, as a manufacturer, considers that it can be repaired, but the FIA understands ‘repair’ as simple welding, while in this case, in addition to welding, an additional piece needs to be added. Sainz did not understand that the FIA did not trust the standard of a brand as large and reliable as Ford to carry out this repair, a fact that would not allow him to continue in the Dakar.
“When we got here, the FIA inspected the car a little more, and they saw that one of the anti-roll bars was very, very slightly damaged. The team said it was very easy to fix, but the FIA did not want to take any action , and in that sense, maybe this race, above all, with the guarantee of someone like Ford, maybe we have to be more flexible,” said Sainz this Monday evening.
“I respect 100% the FIA and its decisions, what I am saying is that a balance must be found, because for me, of course, if the team believes that it cannot be fixed with guarantees, it will not send to akin. to do any section, but in the end, yesterday they saw the car, you could hardly see it bent, they let me race today, I don’t know, I don’t want to do anything criticism, but rather a debate that can be opened,” he added.
ONE OF THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF HIS CAREER
“I feel very disappointed, one of the great disappointments of my career, but, in the end, I have gray hair, and I know that races are like that, sometimes they work out and other times they don’t, it’s a matter. of details. Then, if I stay at home I’m sure nothing will happen, and the only thing I wish is that… I feel angry for Ford, for the team, for not being able to draw conclusions, test the car, have more experience. I hope and want Mattias and Mitch to fight it out, and for my part, I’m going to Madrid to check his back a bit.
WOULD YOU PREFER TO COME BACK AND WIN AT FORD?
“Now what I’m thinking is that all the work in a year is not much use. Well, it’s not much use because the car is there and the car is competitive and it gives you a little bit of satisfaction. But it was a difficult day, because after arriving with the hope of getting the car ready, the Dakar and so on after a whole year for it, coming home in three days is a bucket of cold water.”
ADMIT YOUR MISTAKE
“I’m not hiding. My mistake was because in the end, I entered a dune at 20 km/h that was so deep that it quickly overturned. There’s no need to look for excuses. That happened to me twice (the first one in Audi in 2023) and it will happen to all of us if I’m in Madrid sitting on a sofa, it obviously won’t happen to me.
THE BACK AFTER THE ACCIDENT
“Now when I get to Madrid I’ll do a check-up to see how he is. It’s bothering me and I have to check on him.”
WHAT IS A DUNE AND WHAT IS AN ACCIDENT?
“The dune was very cut and very deep. It was the second car, but it is my responsibility and I don’t want to look for any excuse for anything. Maybe the tactics of the first day were not appropriate, I should have lost. more time to leave the back as shown But in retrospect everything is so easy that in my opinion, the start of a Dakar with a 48 Hour stage, a day of rest and a marathon, is a start to the Rally that is up to. now Dakar has never done it. Sainz criticizes the Dakar’, I do not insist that until now we have not done it and maybe it is too low in my point of view.
EKSTRÖM, FORD’S GREAT HOPE
“Now I believe that he can have a good Dakar and I am sure that he can fight for the victory. But in addition there are many conclusions to be made so that the team can learn and finally the kilometers in the first year of a car is important”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
