Sainz remains modest before the Dakar

The Dakar is renowned for being one of the most difficult events among motor sports. However, this did not prevent Carlos Sainz to achieve victory in 2010 aboard the Volkswagen Race Touareg 2. At the wheel of the new Race Touareg 3 for the 2011 edition, the Spaniard does not yet dare to make any predictions, as the Dakar is so uncertain and difficult.

“Compared to the African stages, the variety of terrain in South America impressed me more,” admits the Volkswagen driver. “We will have a hard time knowing what to expect this year, having only had slight details from the organizers. After my career in WRC, if there is a lesson to be learned from desert rallies, it is this: remain modest. »

But Carlos Sainz fears above all the sand which is undoubtedly the biggest pitfall of the Dakar. “The sand of the rally raids represented the biggest change for me, because I had previously ridden on tens of thousands of kilometers of dirt. Every day you must feel and read the sand perfectly and face the dunes with respect. »

Even with extensive experience and constant attention, a problem can arise at any time. “Also, every driver needs a little luck,” adds Carlos Sainz. “Even Nasser Al-Attiyah and Stéphane Peterhansel, who in my opinion are the best drivers on sand, got bogged down in the 2010 Dakar. Good luck or bad luck depends on your choice to drive a little more to the left or to the right. Nobody knows what is behind the dunes. You can't see through the sand. »