Sainz wins historic rally in Spain in a Ford Puma Rally1

Two-time World Rally Championship (WRC) champion Carlos Sainz has won the Rally de Asturias Historico, a tarmac event in Spain. The rally was dedicated to Sainz's own career, and the 64-year-old made his debut in the newest-generation Ford Puma Rally1 car. He was once again joined by his long-time co-driver Luis Moya.

The route covered 126.66 kilometres over ten stages. Sainz faced two former WRC rivals: nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb and François Delecour, a four-time WRC event winner. Both drove a Peugeot 306 Maxi.

Loeb's retirement

Loeb started strongly, winning the first three stages and building a 24.9-second lead over Sainz before the first service park visit. The Spaniard answered by winning two of the next three stages and took the lead on stage eight, when Loeb's clutch failed. Sainz finished first, more than a minute ahead of Delecour in second place.

At the finish, Sainz said the result was secondary to him. In his words, the weekend was wonderful because of the people around him. He admitted the team had been slightly nervous about the large crowds, as they did not know how many people would turn up. He thanked spectators, organisers, and Ford and Red Bull, who made his participation possible.

Sainz's career

Sainz has contested 196 WRC events, scoring 26 wins and 97 podiums with Toyota, Subaru, Lancia, Ford and Citroen machinery. After leaving traditional rallying at the end of 2005, he found success in rally raids, winning the Dakar Rally four times: in 2010, 2018, 2020 and 2024. He currently represents the Ford factory team in the World Rally-Raid Championship. This was his first traditional rally since 2013.