Last year, Sainz changed teams and joined M-Sport Ford. He will compete in the Dakar Rally at the start of the year, driving a Ford Ranger.
In January of last year, Sainz celebrated his fourth career victory in the Dakar Rally, but at that time, he was driving for Audi. However, the manufacturer decided to withdraw from the series, leaving Sainz free on the market. Eventually, the opportunity to drive for Ford arose.
“A new year, a new life. A new team, a new challenge… This year, the preparation for Dakar has been somewhat different,” Sainz commented to the Spanish outlet AS.
“It’s not the same when you have a car you’ve already driven and analysed for its strengths and areas for improvement, compared to starting completely from scratch, as we did this year with Ford,” Sainz reminded.
Sainz noted that learning something new has been challenging but ultimately rewarding.
“There’s been a lot of work, but despite that, I’m quite satisfied. I think we’ve made good adjustments and chosen a solid strategy for developing the car. In my view, we’ve done things right at Ford, and I wouldn’t change anything,” Sainz said.
Sainz also made his goals very clear.
“When you decide to embark on a project like this, especially with a brand like Ford as part of their broader Dakar strategy, you have to commit one hundred per cent, as I’ve always done. Half-hearted efforts are not an option,” Sainz declared.
“This project was no exception. Ford knows me, and this is already the fourth time I’ve worked with Malcolm Wilson (M-Sport’s director and Ford’s partner in Dakar). We have no secrets. I know Malcolm, and he knows me and my way of working. That’s why I can say that we’ve done everything humanly possible on my end. Nothing has changed. Now, only time will tell if we’ve done things right or not,” Sainz continued.
Entering Dakar with a new car is always a major challenge, something Sainz readily admits.
“We’re also aware of the realities. A car’s first year in Dakar is always challenging. No matter how much you test, rack up kilometres, or participate in events like Rally Morocco or Hungary’s Baja, Dakar always brings new conditions and surprises. That’s why winning in the first year is especially difficult,” Sainz emphasised.
The Dakar Rally, held in Saudi Arabia, kicks off on Friday with the prologue.
