The Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz had a decent year in 2022, finishing fifth overall in the driver standings. The 28-year-old Spaniard has grown up seeing his father race cars in the world rally championship, and now that he has grown to appreciate the rally races’ festive atmosphere, he has a mystical request for the Prancing Horse.

To be a successful brand at a marketing level, a car manufacturer must go through different stages at a sporting level. F1 is the premier league in motorsport. However, there are other divisions, such as Dakar Rally. The electric buggy RS Q e-Tron, which was introduced by Audi a year ago and is now leading this year’s 2023 edition’s general classification after two stages with Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah, the current champion, in close pursuit. Carlos Junior Jr, who was lured by the sense of fellowship among the pilots at the camping site, followed his father to Saudi Arabia.

The scene spoke to the Spaniard, who demanded the Scuderia to enter the team in the competition. The entry fee for the Dakar Rally in 2022 was reported to be $30k for the drivers. As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sainz junior said, “It would be nice if Ferrari built one of these cars. I’m here not only because my father runs, but also because I like discipline.” [Translated using Google]

“I have been following it since 2006. I lived it through the stories of my father and in recent years more closely. I think the Dakar is magical, especially the bivouac. I’ve wanted to come for a long time, but it usually coincides with the only week of the year when I can rest.”

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Time will tell whether Scuderia pays much attention to the Spaniard’s wish, as there has already been a leadership change at the Maranello camp following a disappointing season, which has given rise to several rumors stating that Charles Leclerc, the other Ferrari driver, will gain a lot from the move. Carlos Sainz had a modest response when he was asked about the same.

Carlos Sainz is positive the leadership shift will be effective

Mattia Binotto opted to leave the Prancing Horse after experiencing a string of setbacks, and the team chose Fredrick Vasseur to take over as his replacement. The Monegasque and Vasseur had previously collaborated at ART in GP3 and again in Sauber. Therefore, there are rumors that the team’s principal may favor the 25-year-old. Carlos Sainz was found relaxed and receptive when questioned about the same. He feels that the team made the right choice.

While conversing with the Autosport, the Spaniard said, “Everyone in the paddock knows him and I’m sure he’ll do well. There will be an adjustment period, but Fred knows Formula 1 very well and also Ferrari. Now there will be this preparation phase to then start working fully with him.”

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The team has all the tools they need, but they arguably lacked a winning mentality. With the performance they delivered last year, the Prancing Horse will aim to push for a repetition of some successful years similar to the time of Michael Schumacher. Having said that, which of the two drivers do you believe will be more effective this season?