Carlos Sainz Sr. is one of the biggest legends and definitely the pioneer of racing in Spain. Fernando Alonso thinks that it is the two-time rally World Champion who inspired an entire generation to pursue their dreams in the world of motorsports.
Sainz is a legend when it comes to rally racing. He won the World Rally Championship drivers’ Title with Toyota in 1990 and 1992 and was also a runner-up four times. He also won the prestigious Dakar rally three times and was the most popular Spanish motorsport driver during his peak years.
Etapa muy dura; al final P3 pese a abrir. P1 en la general. Mañana 447km de special. Vamos! 
Very tough stage; in the end P3 despite opening. P1 in the general standings. Tomorrow 447km of special stage. Let’s go!
–@audisport @redbullESP #Dakar2023#CarlosSainz pic.twitter.com/6s93OUm3v2
— Carlos Sainz (@CSainz_oficial) January 2, 2023
According to Alonso, Sainz’s success in racing showed all Spaniards that they can come forward and dominate the racing world. Today, Alonso is a two-time World Champion in F1, and Sainz’s son is one of the biggest stars in F1 too. Alonso credits all the recent success in Spanish motorsports to the 60-year-old rallying legend.
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Carlos Sainz winning gave belief to Fernando Alonso and all Spaniards
Today, Alonso is regarded as one of the most legendary drivers in F1 history. He won two World Championships and is the most successful F1 driver in Spain’s history. Sainz’s son, Carlos Sainz Jr. drives for Scuderia Ferrari and won his first-ever F1 race at Silverstone last year.
Spaniards have also tasted success in other disciples of motorsports like Moto GP. Marc Marquez is an 8-time World Champion, and one of the biggest names in Spanish sports today.
Apart from the drivers mentioned above, there are several up-and-coming stars that could potentially dominate different forms of racing in the years to come. However, according to Alonso, it all started with Sainz winning his rallying Titles.
Fernando Alonso speaks about Spanish Motorsport and the Matador in the series about Carlos Sainz Senior on Redbull TV pic.twitter.com/zdx7yj8Xqc
— Aston Martin F1 updates (@startonpole) January 2, 2023
“I think that was the moment,” Alonso said in a documentary for Red Bull TV. “When that clicked in our minds. That although we are Spanish, coming from Spain. We could dominate the entire motor world.”
Alonso is currently 41 years old, but his relative old age has not slowed him down. The Oviedo-born driver is still hungry for wins and signed a multi-year contract with Aston Martin ahead of the 2023 F1 season.
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