Video: Proof of just how insanely talented Carlos Sainz Sr. is

04th December 2019

Seán Ward

Carlos Sainz Jr. sealed sixth place in the 2019 Formula 1 drivers’ championship in Abu Dhabi this past weekend, cementing his reputation as a truly world class driver. But, while a good driver and a truly cool young man he might be, he still hasn’t got anything on his dad. Look no further than this onboard from Carlos Sainz Sr. in the 2003 Monte Carlo Rally.

A winner of the World Rally Championship in 1990 and 1992, Sainz Sr. was, and still is, a rather handy driver. He drove for Ford, Toyota, Lancia, Subaru and, for the final three years of his WRC career, Citroën.

Sainz Sr. finished third overall in 2003 and third in this, the 2003 season-opener behind the wheel of a Citroën Xsara WRC. And my word is it a hypnotising watch. It doesn’t just prove Sainz Sr.’s speed, or how brave he is (do you think you’d be able to drive a car at even 50 per cent of this pace on a road that’s potentially icy and has a cliff edge for run-off?), but it shows where Sainz Jr. got his speed. If only we could have a Sainz-off.