Sainz critical of the FIA
And the World Rally Championship

Things were better before, says Sainz

During an interview with Spanish press agency EFE, Carlos Sainz shared his opinions regarding the future of the World Rally Championship. The double World Champion (1990 and 1992) remains, by his record and by his involvement within the WRC, a reference to those participating in the series. His point of view echoes the feelings held by several drivers and team managers.

"The World Rally Championship has lost its interest," declared Sainz. "F1 is choking motorsport competition and the FIA today prefers quantity over quality. That goes against rallying."

"The discipline suffers from a lack of drivers able to impose themselves," he continued, considering that the Citroën team and four-time World Champion Sébastien Loeb are practically unbeatable.

"With the retirement of Marcus Grönholm, things seem easier for Loeb, even though he deserves all the merit. He is not responsible for the situation. Sébastien is one of the best drivers in rally history, but if six or seven drivers and four or five constructors could challenge for the title before, that is not the case today," the Spaniard said.

Things took a bad turn when rally tried to imitate Formula One, according to the double WRC champion.

"Quantity has taken precedence over quality. Rally, which could captivate the interest of an entire country, has become a race of about forty cars and much less exciting," Sainz concluded.

Hm, I don't know, I think the only problem is that it's really just Ford v. Citroen. I was simply waiting for Subaru to re-up and Suzuki to really come online and then I am expecting glory days again. Not that I'm not enjoying the racing now anyways, I count the days to the next rally. Had I been a fan for longer I might know better, but for now I'm just happy that the WRC still exists considering the danger involved.