Carlos Sainz: “It’s very, very tight”

January 2 ^nd 2026 - 15:03 [GMT + 3]

Four times Dakar winner Carlos Sainz was unable to defend his most recent title up to the end of the 2025 edition. ‘El Matador’ will tackle his 19th Dakar behind the wheel of an updated official Ford Raptor that made its first appearance in Morocco. The Ford Raptors, like the Dacia Sandriders, have been fine-tuned over the last year and have now reached victory-compatible maturity.

“The Dacias were already on a good level last year. I think also last year we were not too bad but probably this year, the Dacias are better, we are better and Toyota are also better. I think it’s very, very tight – we saw that already in Morocco. I think at least twelve drivers can win the race”.