Carlos Sainz facts for kids
Sainz in 2014.
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Spanish |
| Born | 12 April 1962 Madrid, Spain |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 1987–2005 |
| Co-driver | Luis Moya Marc Martí |
| Teams | Ford, Toyota, Lancia, Subaru, Citroën |
| Rallies | 196 |
| Championships | 2 (1990, 1992) |
| Rally wins | 26 |
| Podiums | 97 |
| Stage wins | 757 |
| Total points | 1,242 |
| First rally | 1987 Rally Portugal |
| First win | 1990 Acropolis Rally |
| Last win | 2004 Rally Argentina |
| Last rally | 2005 Acropolis Rally |
Carlos Sainz Cenamor (born April 12, 1962) is a famous Spanish rally driver. Rallying is a type of car racing where drivers race on public or private roads. These roads can be gravel, snow, ice, or asphalt. Carlos Sainz is one of the best rally drivers ever!
He won the World Rally Championship (WRC) twice. He won in 1990 and again in 1992, both times with the Toyota team. He also finished second four times, showing how consistently good he was.
Who is Carlos Sainz?
Carlos Sainz is often called El Matador. This nickname means "The Matador" in Spanish. It shows how brave and skilled he was behind the wheel. He raced in the WRC for many years, from 1987 to 2005.
He holds a record for the most career starts in the WRC. This means he competed in more races than almost anyone else! He was also the first driver from outside the Nordic countries (like Finland or Sweden) to win the tough 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland.
Major Wins and Achievements
Carlos Sainz has won many important races and championships.
- He won the World Rally Championship twice (1990, 1992).
- He helped teams like Subaru, Toyota, and Citroën win the Constructors' World Championship. This award goes to the best team in the WRC.
- After his WRC career, he became a champion in the Dakar Rally. This is a very long and challenging off-road race. He won the Dakar Rally three times: in 2010, 2018, and 2020.
- He also won the Race of Champions in 1997. This event brings together top drivers from different types of motorsports.
- In 1990, he won the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.
His co-drivers, who help him navigate during races, included Luis Moya and Marc Martí. They were a very important part of his success.
A Family of Racers
Carlos Sainz comes from a family that loves racing.
- His son, Carlos Sainz Jr., is also a professional racing driver. He competes in Formula One, which is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel cars. Carlos Sainz Jr. currently races for Scuderia Ferrari.
- Carlos also has an older brother named Antonio Sainz. Born in 1957, Antonio was also a rally driver.
In 2020, Carlos Sainz received the Princess of Asturias Sports Award. This is a very important award in Spain, recognizing his amazing career and contributions to sports. He is truly a legend in the world of rally racing!
