Sainz predicts “strange” tactical battle in Dakar Rally

Carlos Sainz Sr believes that “tactics will be more important than ever” in this year’s running of the Dakar Rally.

After claiming his fourth victory in the iconic rally raid last year with Audi, the Spaniard has switched allegiances to Ford this term as the marque enters its new Raptor developed in collaboration with M-Sport.

This year’s event held in the Saudi Arabian dunes begins with the Prologue Stage on Friday before the rally proper commences on Saturday.

Time can be gained by driving on already compacted sand, something that is not possible should a driver be first on the stage. With this in mind, Sainz expects there could be some peculiar goings on prior to the special stages.

“I think that tactics will be more important than ever on this Dakar,” he said.

“Last year we showed how tactics and the strategy of not opening the track in the 48-hours stage was very important, and this year there will be five special stages where there will be no bikes in front [because of their different routes].

“Therefore, I think we will have a somewhat tactical Dakar, and that on the first day we might see things that are a bit strange.”

The Raptor’s Dakar debut follows a maiden competition outing on the Rallye du Maroc in October, which marked the resumption of Sainz’s lengthy relationship with M-Sport.

The double World Rally champion Sainz had two previous stints with Ford either side of a second spell with Toyota, between 1996-97 and 2000-02, and won five WRC rallies.

“We have to wait and see how we go in this race,” assessed Sainz. “It is true that the debut in the Rally of Morocco was positive, but we have to wait a bit.

“[M-Sport boss] Malcolm Wilson I already knew and it was a bit like coming home, and in that sense, there have been no surprises.

“We have worked well throughout the year and we have to wait and see what the start of the race brings.”

Sainz anticipates that the toughest test will come on Stage 2, with nearly 1000 kilometres of running across 5-6 January.

“In the 48-hour stage, something is going to happen, 100%,” said Sainz.

“You don’t have assistance, you don’t have anyone, and that’s why it’s so important to get through the kilometres without problems, and above all to reach the first part and the end of the special without problems, because you know that you won’t have mechanics, that you’ll be on your own and it’s fundamental to get through it.

“It’s also very early in the race, and when you have a new project like ours, maybe you leave with a bit more concern.”

Sainz will be joined in Ford’s Dakar roster by fellow former Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom and 2014 winner Nani Roma.