Sainz set to step out of comfort zone to defend Dakar Rally title

Bisha, Saudi Arabia: Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz made history when he won his fourth Dakar Rally last year and is confident that he has what i...

Bisha, Saudi Arabia: Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz made history when he won his fourth Dakar Rally last year and is confident that he has what it takes to challenge for victory in this season’s gruelling race in Saudi Arabia.

Sainz’s fourth title came when he was 61 -- the oldest winner of the race and the first Dakar victory for German outfit Audi.

Now 62, the Spaniard -- the father of Ferrari Formula One driver Carlos Sainz Jr -- recently became a grandfather, but the two-time world rally champion known as ‘El Matador’ professes to be in fine form.

“Personally I’ve done everything I can to arrive in a good physical condition and I will give everything to try to have a good race,” Sainz said at the launch of his new Ford Raptor car.