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Sainz Wants More VW Testing

Carlos Sainz says he will need more time to get to grips with the Volkswagen Race-Touareg he will drive on next year's Dakar Rally

The double World Rally Champion has completed his first major test for Volkswagen since signing with the German manufacturer to contest the famous endurance rally next year.

Sainz shared the six-day test programme at Douz, Tunisia, with his teammates Jutta Kleinschmidt, Bruno Saby and Giniel de Villiers, and the Spaniard said: "My first test ran very well, but I still need more time to feel completely at home with the Touareg and the terrain.

"I now have over 400 kilometres under my belt after having driven the car only briefly on two previous occasions. However, I still have a great deal to learn. Driving in the dunes and across camel grass was completely new to me."

Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen was satisfied with Sainz' performance during the test, stating: "Our drivers, engineers and mechanics were in action from morning till evening to compile the entire test programme of almost 3000 kilometres. We made some improvements, but still have to analyse the data. We'll confirm the results afterwards in another test."

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