https://www.tmz.com/2022/07/07/racing-legend-carlos-sainz-sr-hospitalized-wild-extreme-e-crash/
I saw the crash...I think FIA G detector went off which means automatic trip to hospital. He was standing next to the car shortly after the crash, so all preventive it seems.
Sainz Sr. is the real deal, a legend. It’s embarrassing that here in the U.S. he is mostly known as Jr’s father. I wish him speedy recovery.
I have no idea if rallying has a high profile in the USA like here in Europe. Carlos Sainz Sr "The Matador" is well known here for his 2 WRC titles with Toyota.
In fact, he should be addressed or referred to as Sainz, plainly Sainz. It’s his son who merits the Jr tag as his father was and remains a legend way before he was born. And although debatable, he has achieved way more than his son, starting with at least two world championships. That being said I wish he gets recovered soon as possible, he is exemplary, still into the racing business and competitive at that being 60 yo.
It was a savage crash, but he seems to have escaped , not his first big crash, let's hope it was his last, he's a tough guy, but age doesn't help. Carlos was already a w.champion when i was in highschool. I went to a school up in the north ( Viana do Castelo), and there was a stage there from the Portuguese Rally, who was for many years considered as the very best rally in the world. The stage was near the schoo, so we could just Skip classes an run to watch it. The place would be filled with spaniards rooting for Sainz (this was very near the spanish border)....and i would be pushing for the Lancias of course, my favourite was Didier Auriol....but it was all in good spirits, the crowd cheered everyone, and it was great fun.
I don’t think it’s debatable at all. I like and root for Sainz Jr. but he’s nowhere close yet to his father’s achievements. Carlos Sainz’s two world championships don’t even quite reflect his place in the history of the sport. He won his championships during a particularly competitive period and made history by becoming the first non-Nordic driver to win 1000 Lakes Rally (Rally Finland). A legend indeed.
