Carlos Sainz Jr to Race in Monte Carlo Rally

Renault Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr comes from a rich racing background. His father, Carlos Sainz is a double World Rally Champion. Sainz Sr also recently won the 2018 Dakar Rally at the age of 55. Now, Sainz Jr will follow in his father’s footsteps and make his rallying debut at the Monte Carlo Rally. Monte Carlo is the season opening racing of the 2018 WRC season.

The 23-year-old Spaniard will pilot one of the organisers’ Renault Megane R.S. course cars. He will be running through the 8.5-mile Col de Braus powerstage on Sunday. Sainz Jr. will be running ahead of the main field in the VIP car. All this will take place shortly before the main WRC drivers start SS17 to fight for an extra five bonus points.

Sainz said, “I’m really looking forward to experiencing Rally Monte Carlo for the first time. It’s going to be a real thrill to take part in such a legendary event behind the wheel of a Renault Megane R.S, which will be fitted with snow and studded tyres so I can get a more complete sensation of rallying around these stages.”

Carlos Sainz Sr won Monte Carlo thrice, in 1991 and ’95 and ’98. His son is excited to step into his father’s territory.

The Renault F1 driver continued, “I’ve done a lot of practice with my dad – we have a rally car at home in the countryside, so we have done a lot of dirt stages with the car and I keep learning quite a lot. I’ve heard so much about it [Monte Carlo Rally] from my dad: how difficult the stages are, how the conditions can change in an instant from snow to rain or bright sunshine and, of course, how you need nerves of steel for some of those mountain passes and hairpins.”

By participating in the Monte Carlo Rally, Sainz Jr is only the third F1 driver who will be participating in a non-F1 event. The other two drivers are Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, both of whom are racing in the Daytona 24 Hours.