Carlos Sainz Sr thinks that “strategies will be more vital than ever” in this year's running of the Dakar Rally.
After declaring his 4th success in the renowned rally raid in 2015 with Audi, the Spaniard has actually changed loyalties to Ford this term as the marque enters its brand-new Raptor established in cooperation with M-Sport.
This year's occasion kept in the Saudi Arabian dunes starts with the Prologue Stage on Friday before the rally appropriate commences on Saturday.
Time can be acquired by driving on currently compressed sand, something that is not possible needs to a chauffeur be initially on the phase. With this in mind, Sainz anticipates there might be some strange goings on previous to the unique phases.
“I believe that methods will be more crucial than ever on this Dakar,” he stated.
“Last year we demonstrated how methods and the technique of not opening the track in the 48-hour phase was extremely essential, and this year there will be 5 unique phases where there will be no bikes in front [because of their different routes]
“Therefore, I believe we will have a rather tactical Dakar, which on the very first day, we may see things that are a bit weird.”
The Raptor's Dakar launching follows a first competitors trip on the Rallye du Maroc in October, which marked the resumption of Sainz's prolonged relationship with M-Sport.
Carlos Sainz, Ford Raptor T1+
Image by: Ford
The double World Rally champ Sainz had 2 previous stints with Ford either side of a 2nd spell with Toyota, in between 1996-97 and 2000-02, and won 5 WRC rallies.
“We need to wait and see how we enter this race,” evaluated Sainz. “It holds true that the launching in the Rally of Morocco was favorable, however we need to wait a bit.
[M-Sport boss] Malcolm Wilson I currently understood and it was a bit like getting back, and because sense, there have actually been not a surprises.
“We have actually worked well throughout the year and we need to wait and see what the start of the race brings.”
Sainz expects that the hardest test will come on Stage 2, with almost 1000 kilometres of stumbling upon 5-6 January.
“In the 48-hour phase, something is going to occur, 100%,” stated Sainz.
“You do not have support, you do not have anybody, which's why it's so crucial to survive the kilometres without issues, and above all to reach the very first part and completion of the unique without issues, since you understand that you will not have mechanics, that you'll be on your own and it's essential to make it through it.
“It's likewise really early in the race, and when you have a brand-new task like ours, possibly you entrust to a bit more issue.”
Sainz will be taken part Ford's Dakar lineup by fellow previous Audi motorist Mattias Ekstrom and 2014 winner Nani Roma.
