Sainz to try his hand at rallying

Following his father’s latest win the Dakar rally, Carlos Sainz Jr will step away from F1 for a brief moment to run the final stage of this year’s Monte Carlo Rally.

Sainz Jr will drive the new Renault Mégane R.S on the 13.58km La Cabanette-Col de Braus Power Stage on January 28th.

“I’m really looking forward to experiencing Rallye Monte-Carlo for the first time,” he said.

“I’ve heard so much about it from my dad – how difficult the stages are, how the conditions can change in an instant from snow to rain or bright sunshine and of course how you need nerves of steel for some of those mountain passes and hairpins!

“It’s going to be a real thrill to take part in such a legendary event behind the wheel of a Renault Mégane R.S, which will be fitted with snow and studded tyres so I can get a more complete sensation of rallying around these stages.”

Sainz will run the Power Stage as the VIP course car that checks the layout before the timed World Rally Championship contenders.