F1 star’s dad drives at astonishing speed without windscreen while steering with one hand after shocking crash
One of the most legendary figures in motorsport history, Carlos Sainz Snr is still going strong at 62. The Spanish icon and father of Williams Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr is taking part in yet another Dakar Rally and looking to break numerous records. Sainz car ended upside down and with no help in sight But he styled out the lack of a windscreen to bring the car homeMundo Deportivo However, his hopes of a fifth overall win at the world famous 14-day gruelling event hit an almost critical blow with a nasty crash. Taking part on day two Sainz flipped his Ford Raptor at the 203mile mark and the results were disastrous. Thankfully the two-time World Rally champion was okay, but his car was in bits. And without any mechanical support at such a remote point, he lost a massive 59 minutes of running time which likely took him out of winning contention. Yet what happened next was the stuff of legend. After support finally arrived and put Sainz’s car back on its wheels with repairs, he was able to continue, even with the Ford in pieces. All of the front and rear bodywork was removed, with the engine in the back completely exposed, but one issue was worse than any other for the driver. Sainz had to finish the next 370miles without a windscreen, and still managed to do it in iconic style. ‘El Matador’ was captured driving at an incredible 114mph across the Saudi desert using just one hand as he had the other in front of his face to deflect the sun and sand blasting into his eyes. And if that wasn’t bad enough, his co-driver, Lucas Cruz, was having to hold his own door closed as the lock was broken in the crash, reading out directions and instructions one-handed. Those waiting for Sainz back at camp in Bisha were left in awe, but the clearly forlorn Madrid-native was far more concerned about his loss of time and physical state. Photographers caught the wreck in actionAFP “The bottom line is that everything went wrong,” he told the media. “Yesterday we had the accident and lost a lot of time. Then we got lost somewhere. “This morning we had another puncture and then we lost a lot of time in a place where we couldn’t find the way. “Two days to forget, two very difficult days to accept so soon after the start of the race, but it is what it is and now we have to move forward, try to help the team and try to learn as much as possible.” Asked about his chances of victory, Sainz wasn’t at all positive, adding: “Well, there is still a lot of racing left. Obviously, my chances of winning have disappeared, but as I say, if I can help the team, I can learn and I can try something, then all the better. “I want to recover, both mentally and physically, and try to help the team and if I can win a stage, all the better.” The engine was completely exposedMundo Deportivo Mundo DeportivoSainz wasn’t in great condition either[/caption] Speaking about his condition, he said: “My back hurts a little, it’s a bit sore, but I don’t think there’s anything out of the ordinary, just the blow.” A win would’ve taken the 2024 champion to joint second in all-time victories with five, only behind Stephane Peterhansel. He was also looking to become the first person to win with five different manufacturers.
One of the most legendary figures in motorsport history, Carlos Sainz Snr is still going strong at 62.
The Spanish icon and father of Williams Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr is taking part in yet another Dakar Rally and looking to break numerous records.
However, his hopes of a fifth overall win at the world famous 14-day gruelling event hit an almost critical blow with a nasty crash.
Taking part on day two Sainz flipped his Ford Raptor at the 203mile mark and the results were disastrous.
Thankfully the two-time World Rally champion was okay, but his car was in bits. And without any mechanical support at such a remote point, he lost a massive 59 minutes of running time which likely took him out of winning contention.
Yet what happened next was the stuff of legend.
After support finally arrived and put Sainz’s car back on its wheels with repairs, he was able to continue, even with the Ford in pieces.
All of the front and rear bodywork was removed, with the engine in the back completely exposed, but one issue was worse than any other for the driver.
Sainz had to finish the next 370miles without a windscreen, and still managed to do it in iconic style.
‘El Matador’ was captured driving at an incredible 114mph across the Saudi desert using just one hand as he had the other in front of his face to deflect the sun and sand blasting into his eyes.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, his co-driver, Lucas Cruz, was having to hold his own door closed as the lock was broken in the crash, reading out directions and instructions one-handed.
Those waiting for Sainz back at camp in Bisha were left in awe, but the clearly forlorn Madrid-native was far more concerned about his loss of time and physical state.
“The bottom line is that everything went wrong,” he told the media.
“Yesterday we had the accident and lost a lot of time. Then we got lost somewhere.
“This morning we had another puncture and then we lost a lot of time in a place where we couldn’t find the way.
“Two days to forget, two very difficult days to accept so soon after the start of the race, but it is what it is and now we have to move forward, try to help the team and try to learn as much as possible.”
Asked about his chances of victory, Sainz wasn’t at all positive, adding: “Well, there is still a lot of racing left. Obviously, my chances of winning have disappeared, but as I say, if I can help the team, I can learn and I can try something, then all the better.
“I want to recover, both mentally and physically, and try to help the team and if I can win a stage, all the better.”
Speaking about his condition, he said: “My back hurts a little, it’s a bit sore, but I don’t think there’s anything out of the ordinary, just the blow.”
A win would’ve taken the 2024 champion to joint second in all-time victories with five, only behind Stephane Peterhansel.
He was also looking to become the first person to win with five different manufacturers.
