Dakar Rally winner Carlos Sainz Sr. said he’s confident Audi will perform well in Formula 1 and hinted the Germans have talked with his son Carlos.
Audi will join F1 in 2026, taking over the current “Stake” team, when the new Power Unit regulations come into effect.
Speaking at a Dakar press conference, Sainz Sr. said that “Audi is always a certainty [to be successful], after all, I know how seriously they take every project.”
“I also know well what the famous German mentality means in practice, both the good sides and the not-so-good sides, but we just have to have a lot of respect for the Volkswagen Group with Audi as part of it.”
When asked about the team’s journey into the world’s biggest category, Sainz Sr. said that “we all know that Formula 1 is a special world, and I have a lot of respect for Audi.
“In my eyes, it’s just a matter of time before they succeed in F1. I don’t have a crystal ball, but the moment Audi decides to enter F1, they already command a lot of respect from me with that.”
The Spaniard also hinted that Carlos is well-aware about Audi’s project and hinted at possible talks for a seat with the newcomers.
“It makes sense at Carlos’ house to talk about what Audi can get done, all the more so because I am a member of that Audi family,” Sainz Sr. said.