Sainz bids farewell to fans
Carlos Sainz bode an emotional farewell to his adoring fans and finished third in his final rally at home before he retires at the end of this season
The Spaniard fought over second place in the Catalunya Rally with Marcus Gronholm after Sainz's Citroen team-mate and new world champion Sebastien Loeb retired on the second day with a broken sump. And although Sainz had declared a desire to win his final home event before it started, eventually a wrong tyre choice stopped him from catching the Peugeot driver and he was forced to settle for third.
"I don't know how I manage to do it," said Sainz. "I can never just maintain position in the third leg. On Sunday, I am always still fighting hard with someone or other.
"I really tried everything to get passed Marcus [Gronholm]. He was able to put up strong resistance, bravo! Seb was unlucky here. He was really 'very fast', and I think he could have won."
In the end though it didn't matter whether he won or not: "For us, this was a rally full of emotion, the last time through these special stages, in front of my public. The result doesn't really matter, in the end. The crowds flocked to support us. They gave me a wonderful gift, and I would like to thank them..."
IndyCar Texas: Dixon tops final practice at Texas Motor Speedway
IndyCar Texas: Dixon tops final practice at Texas Motor Speedway IndyCar Texas: Dixon tops final practice at Texas Motor Speedway
Espargaro says aggression needed for MotoGP sprint caused Argentina crash
Espargaro says aggression needed for MotoGP sprint caused Argentina crash Espargaro says aggression needed for MotoGP sprint caused Argentina crash
Mir taken to hospital after Argentina MotoGP sprint race crash
Mir taken to hospital after Argentina MotoGP sprint race crash Mir taken to hospital after Argentina MotoGP sprint race crash
MotoGP Argentina GP: Binder wins sprint thriller from 15th on the grid
MotoGP Argentina GP: Binder wins sprint thriller from 15th on the grid MotoGP Argentina GP: Binder wins sprint thriller from 15th on the grid
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown The contenders seeking to take Rovanpera's WRC crown
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title Why Rovanpera is anticipating a fight to defend his WRC title
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.