WATCH: Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz celebrates his 61-year-old dad’s prestigious Dakar Rally win 

Carlos Sainz Sr won the Dakar Rally for the fourth time at the age of 61 in Saudi Arabia.

WATCH: Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz celebrates his 61-year-old dad’s prestigious Dakar Rally win 

Carlos Sainz Sr. and Carlos Sainz Jr. celbrate the Dakar win (Via IMAGO)

Carlos Sainz Jr is an extremely accomplished Formula 1 driver, but he is one of the very few race winners in the sport who can say their father eclipses them in terms of career success. Carlos Sainz Sr is a well-known rally driver, considered one of the greats in rally racing.

Carlos Sainz Sr also competes in the coveted and dangerous Dakar Rally held every year, due to the challenging nature of the event. Sainz Sr had won the event three times prior to 2024 and took yet another victory at the Saudi Arabian competition, and his son Sainz Jr could be seen congratulating his father on the win.

Sainz Sr has been a well-respected driver for years now, reaching some major success in the World Rally championship. The Spanish driver finished runner-up four times in the championship and won the title twice, in 1990 and 1992.

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Audi congratulates Carlos Sainz Sr. on Dakar rally win

Audi is planning an entry into Formula 1, having set a project in motion to make its presence in the sport a significant one right off the bat in 2026. Set to buy the Sauber team named Stake F1 team for 2024, Audi, will supply its own engines.

Carlos Sainz Sr.
Carlos Sainz Sr.

The German manufacturer competes in the Dakar Rally as well, and Carlos Sainz Jr’s father Sainz Sr won the event for a fourth time with the team. Audi partner Q motorsport’s manager Sven Quandt congratulated the 61-year-old on his skill and ability to take victory despite his slightly advanced age.

This guy is incredible at his age and that if he feels like it he can still achieve many more victories on the Dakar. We've known each other for a long time and mutual trust is another key to this success.
Sven Quandt said, as reported by motorsrport.com

The Spaniard’s son currently driving Ferrari is currently undergoing some conflict with the Italian team regarding the length of his contract beyond 2024. The two-time race winner may therefore look for a spot with the Audi team that his father competed at Dakar with when it arrives on the grid in 2026.

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