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Sainz and Audi F1 link enhanced by HISTORIC offseason triumph

Carlos Sainz's historic triumph in the Dakar Rally will only strengthen their bond

Dan Ripley Global Editor

Professional F1 journalist and analyst

Friday 19 January 2024 18:57

Carlos Sainz Sr has made history after triumphing for Audi in the 2024 Dakar Rally, in a victory that could have lasting effects on the Formula 1 grid.

The father of the Ferrari F1 star with the same name put in a tremendous drive during the Rally that ensured he collected a first ever Dakar win for the German team.

The Dakar held in Audi Arabia saw Sainz lead for almost the entire way, eventually winning by 80 minutes and 25 seconds, despite not winning a single individual stage.

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The 61-year-old is already a motorsport legend following two Rally world title wins in 1990 and 1992, claiming 26 victories during his long career between 1987 and 2005.

But he has now further enhanced his motorsport CV after winning the Dakar for a fourth time (discounting his 2008 Central European Rally win). Audi is also the fourth manufacturer he has won with following other victories with Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Mini.)

It was a timely win for Audi, not only because it is their first but also because it is also set to be their last, with expectations resources will now be put into their Formula 1 project for 2026 with Sauber, who for the next two seasons will be known as Stake F1.

Carlos Sainz Sr triumphed for Audi at the Dakar Rally in 2024 (above)

Audi will enter the sport officially in 2026 as they look to pour more resources into a Formula 1 project

Will Carlos Sainz leave Ferrari to join Audi?

That also means a relationship with the Sainz family has been enhanced and has put Carlos Sainz Jr's future into more focus.

For now he is going nowhere, he is under contract at Ferrari until the end of the season and has previously stated he is happy with the team.

“I'm not going to lie, I don’t like going into my last year of a contract without really knowing where I'm racing the next year,” Sainz told Motorsport.com back in June.

“My priority, and my main goal, is to win one day with Ferrari. And I think I've made that clear, very, very often. And that's why I will give my priority to them this winter.

“If not, it will also be time to look elsewhere. But that's my priority and what I want to sort out in the winter.

LO CONSEGUIMOS! CAMPEONES #DAKAR2024 💪🏻

Hemos sufrido, hemos luchado pero sobre todo, hemos disfrutado.
¡Qué gran sensación cruzar la meta y poder celebrar con todos aquellos que lo han hecho posible! Gracias de corazón

WE DID IT! #DAKAR2024 CHAMPIONS💪🏻

We have struggled, we… pic.twitter.com/PUnA7MLr0n
— Carlos Sainz (@CSainz_oficial) January 19, 2024

The success of Carlos Sr is only likely to raise more questions over the future of his son in F1

However, Carlos Sainz Jr has stated he remains happy with Ferrari where he is contracted until the end of 2024

“I honestly think there are weeks in F1 where there's nothing to talk about. I don't know if it's clickbait or maybe smaller journalists trying to bring a story to gain notoriety, and make their smaller page more successful because they can say: 'I was the first one to say Carlos was at Audi in 2026.'

“I honestly think it's something related to that, because I don't understand where the rumours come from. It doesn't mean I will go, or will not go, it's impossible to say.

"But I know by fact that right now, I'm not talking with anyone else that is not Ferrari.”

F1 can change an awful lot inside a few races though, let alone half-a-year and a potential Sainz Audi link up on the grid for 2026 can only have been improved following the success of his father with the German marque in Dakar.

Throw🔙 to @dakar 2023 with the boss @CSainz_oficial.

Although this year we aren't there physically, we are supporting you in every stage from home. We are very proud of you, of seeing how you keep breaking barriers and outdoing yourself, defending the lead in the toughest rally… pic.twitter.com/B4KKrWuM1O
— Carlos Sainz (@Carlossainz55) January 15, 2024

Written by

Dan Ripley - Global Editor

I've been a massive F1 fan since the mid 1990s and continued to study the history of the sport long before that. Being part of GPFans has allowed me to work with a diverse team with all sorts of different backgrounds in watching the sport and given me a greater appreciation of F1.

View full biography

Formula 1 Audi Sauber Dakar Rally Carlos Sainz Sr