“We only know what Marc has said. Those of us who know him know that’ll be true … With him saying it’ll be hard, I’ve prepared for the worst,” the 54-year-old Peugeot driver said in a press conference in Madrid along with Spanish co-driver and navigator Lucas Cruz.
Sainz said he was at his peak and ready to take the title in 2017 after several editions, including last year, in which he had to abandon the race for various reasons.
“Coming in second, third, fourth or fifth is all the same to me. Once you’ve won the race, what good is it to finish second or third? What motivates me is winning the rally. Of course I would have liked to have finished those years, I had some kind of crash, something broken. Not having a third-place finish in Dakar since 2011 doesn’t bother me in the slightest,” he added.
He said because of his age he needed to prepare more than anyone but that last year he felt comfortable during the race, which he and Cruz led after nine stages before having to withdraw due to a broken spacer between the engine and the gearbox.
“I’ve been so privileged to be able to dedicate myself to the world of rallies. I was fortunate to have won the (World Rally Championship drivers’ title in 1990 and 1992),” Sainz added.
He also talked about his remarkable longevity.
“I understand that people wonder what Carlos Sainz is doing competing in Dakar at his age, my wife first and foremost … I think I’ve earned the right to race even though there are people who don’t agree,” Sainz said.
The 39th edition of Dakar (the ninth in the Americas) will start in Asuncion on Jan. 2 and conclude on Jan. 14 in Buenos Aires and feature competitions in five categories: cars, motorcycles, trucks, quad bikes and utility task vehicles (UTV), a light off-road vehicle.
This year’s race will include the longest stay in Bolivia, whose high altitude will be one of the factors in the race.
“Competing at 4,500 meters (14,750 feet), like we had the chance to do last year, and sleeping at that altitude is tough. You’ve got to try to get acclimated, although from what I’ve read no matter how prepared you are you never know how your body will react,” Sainz said.