Carlos Sainz has paid tribute to his father, Carlos Sainz Sr, with a heartfelt message as the veteran prepares for another assault on the Dakar Rally.
Sainz Sr is set to contest his 19th Dakar from 3 to 17 January 2026, extending one of the most decorated careers in off-road and rallying. The 63-year-old has amassed four overall victories, six podium finishes and 42 stage wins across his Dakar appearances.
Writing on social media, his son, Carlos Sainz, reflected on the unique opportunity he had to experience the event alongside his father during testing in 2025.
“I have watched you take on this challenge for years,” the Williams Formula 1 driver wrote. “I experienced a small taste of it last summer and my admiration towards you and what you do keeps increasing. Good luck at the Dakar, Dad. Proud of you for the way you keep pushing and raising the bar. Vamos.”
The younger Sainz joined his father in the Ford Raptor T1+ during the summer of 2025, first in the co-driver’s seat and later behind the wheel, gaining first-hand insight into the physical and mental demands of the world’s toughest rally raid.
For the 2026 edition, Sainz Sr will once again be partnered by long-time co-driver Lucas Cruz in the Ford Raptor T1+. Cruz has been alongside Sainz Sr for all four Dakar victories, including the landmark first overall win by Spanish competitors.
As the Dakar returns to Saudi Arabia, Sainz Sr’s continued presence at the sharp end of the field remains a benchmark for longevity and competitiveness, with his son’s message underlining the respect earned across generations of elite motorsport.
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