Sainz finally visiting Dakar Rally: 'It's magical'

Where Carlos Sainz junior is trying to become a legend in Formula 1, Sainz senior is already a legend in rallying. In the Dakar Rally, Sainz sr. has been competing for wins and podium finishes for years. His son, the Ferrari F1 driver, is finally visiting this year and he likes it.

Sainz visiting father in Saudi Arabia

The Ferrari driver is visiting the Dakar bivouac at the invitation of his father who is competing in the Rally. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Spaniard is having a good time and is impressed by the camaraderie in the rally's headquarters travelling through Saudi Arabia.

Sainz: "What strikes me most is the atmosphere in the bivouac between the competitors. There is pure competition, but also respect. You can see that people care about each other. The Dakar is a beautiful, but risky challenge. So it's good to see that camaraderie. I love this and I must say that in recent years the atmosphere in F1 has also improved a lot." Sainz notes that in 'his' sport, too, there is more room for friendship alongside competition.

Sainz advises Ferrari to participate in Dakar

Sainz reflects on his team's entry into the Dakar, continuing: "It would be nice if Ferrari also makes a car like this one day. I am not only here because of my father, but also because I love this sport." Sainz has been a loyal follower of the event since 2006. The Spaniard experienced it through his father's stories and has been more actively involved himself in recent years. Sainz: "I find the Dakar magical and the bivouac even more so." His visit to the rally had long been planned, but normally the race falls exactly in the period when the Spaniard has his sparse free weeks.