Carlos
Sainz
Spain
·
Rally Raid
Date of birth | April 12, 1962 |
|---|---|
Birthplace | Madrid |
Age | 63 |
Nationality | Spain |
Career start | 1980 |
Disciplines | Rally Raid Car |
‘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.
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.
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 Dakar Rally four times in 2010, 2018, 2020 and 2024, plus the 2009 Silk Way event in Russia.
Carlos drove the brand-new Audi RS Q e-tron at the 2022 Dakar Rally. The innovative prototype features an alternative drive concept that combines an electric drivetrain with a high-voltage battery and a highly efficient energy converter.
Carlos and co-driver Lucas Cruz won two stages in the 2022 Dakar, finishing in 12th place overall. The pair returned to the event in Saudi Arabia in 2023 with Team Audi Sport, winning Stage 1 before being forced to withdraw from proceedings as a result of an accident during Stage 9.
The duo returned for a third and final Dakar with Audi in 2024 and Carlos made history by becoming the oldest driver (at 61 years of age) to win the historic event and the first to do so in a hybrid vehicle when he landed his fourth Dakar title.
"To be here at my age and to stay at the level, you need to work a lot beforehand. It doesn't just come like that," Carlos said after winning in 2024. "It shows that when you work hard, normally it pays off."
Instead of putting his feet up and enjoying a well earned retirement after his historic 2024 win, Sainz instead is leading the all-new Ford Performance team, spearheading development of the brand's Raptor T1+ truck with the aim of helping Ford win the Dakar Rally. Can he do it? If anyone can, King Carlos can.
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