Motorsport fans might recall a video on YouTube a few years back in which the young F1 prospect Carlos Sainz Jr – who was signed with Red Bull’s junior outfit Toro Rosso – was pitted against his father, WRC legend Carlos Sainz. The Red Bull film crew had visited the Sainz family ranch just outside Madrid and the younger Carlos was set to show up his dad in buggies on an off-road course on the estate. The old man won, with the two joking at the end about a follow-up race on asphalt.
After Sainz Jr was signed to the Renault F1 team, a promotional video was released that featured both men, this time coaching Mark Webber and David Coulthard in Clio RS rally cars before the two F1 alumni were to do battle on the Sainz ranch. What was immediately apparent afterwards was that although Carlos Jr’s career was built on his prowess around circuits, he was equally at home on dirt. His father is a World Rally Champion after all.
Affectionately known as ‘El Matador’ to fans the world over, the 61-year-old held the WRC drivers’ title in 1990 and 1992, along with four runner-up finishes and contributions
