"... optimistic for Dakar 2009"

When the Dakar Rally was cancelled in January, a world fell apart for Carlos Sainz. Now the Spaniard has consoled himself with a victory at the Central Europe Rally – and is already dreaming of a fresh start to the classic in South America.

Let’s say, on a scale of one to ten, a glass of spilled milk represented a one and Armageddon a ten. Where would you put the cancellation of the Dakar Rally 2008, around which your whole working year is spent.

I’d say it was an 8. It was a huge disappointment.

How did you spend January – apart from in a bad mood?

On skis. I spent a skiing vacation with my family. This way for the first time in my life I had the chance to watch the downhill race in Kitzbühel.

The Central Europe Rally, which took place from April 20 to 26 in Hungary and Romania, was held in place of the Dakar. As winner, how well did you react to the substitute drug?

The Central Europe Rally was a good and exciting race, and we all were thankful to the organizers for the contest. But of course it wasn’t a substitute for Dakar. These two rallies can’t be compared at all.

... although the usual suspects led the race: You dominated the rally with five stage victories, yet your lead ahead of the second-placed Stephane Peterhansel was very close, with 2:01 minutes.

Just close to the end it was only 18 seconds. At the beginning we had a few technical problems and had to really crank it up in the last three, four days.

The Volkswagen Motorsport Team won all seven stages of the Central Europe Rally. What are the strengths of the VW Touareg?

It’s fast and reliable at the same time. During preparations we made a huge leap forward, which makes me very optimistic for Dakar 2009.

In the WRC your former employer Citroen has likewise been wearing Red Bull colors for the last two races. Do you still follow the WRC season?

Of course. I’m still very amicably connected to the team and many of the members.

Who’s your favorite for this year’s World Championship title?

I’d pick the same as everyone else: Sébastien [Loeb]. He’s simply the best.

Which other races are you competing in this season?

On May 24 and 25 I’m taking part in the 24-hour race at Nürburgring. And then the preparation for Dakar 2009 will already start; this time it’ll take place in Chile and Argentina. The course isn’t fixed yet, but you can already feel that this race will have the history and challenge of a classic Dakar Rally. But because it’s being held on a different continent, will have a totally new spirit.

And when will you challenge your son Carlos Jr., who drives in Michael Schumacher’s KSM team, to a kart race?

It’s best to leave that be. I’ve become too heavy for kart racing.