Laia Sanz: "Going from Mini to Astara is not a step backwards"

"A 'Top 15' would be a victory for me, everyone has their goals"

BARCELONA, 30 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The pilot Laia Sanz (Astara Team) assures that she is going to her second Dakar in cars (number 13 in total after her 12 participations on a motorcycle) with the aim of improving herself, of taking advantage of her "intermediate step" of going to the maximum category with an Astara and without thinking, at all, that he has taken a step back by changing the Mini for this new project that excites him like the most.

"My idea is to take a step forward and improve last year's position," said the Catalan driver, who finished 23rd in her car debut last year, in an interview with Europa Press. "My goal is always to improve and we make a good team with Carlos Checa and Óscar Fuertes. We are a good team and the goal is to do well," she said of the Astara Team.

Sanz assured that he fights "to win" and that he does not take a step that is not forward. "For me, going from Mini to Astara is not a step backwards. I don't think so, yes, at first it may sound strange, and I am very grateful to Mini for the opportunity last year, with an ideal and reliable car to finish. But this year, a T1 with a small wheel, is outdated", he valued.

"I had to take a step forward but going to Mini's T1 was too big. And we have found a good project, an intermediate step that can be very good. My long-term goal would be to end up in an official team but you have to show and improve. And Astara is the step we had to take", he was honest.

Thus, with a new team and in that intermediate step forward, he hopes to improve his position now that he is no longer a rookie in cars. "Everyone has their goals, for me this year it is trying to be among the top 15, which for me would be a victory. In the Dakar, everyone has their goals and we are going to fight," he assured.

"Last year I learned and if there were the same cars, I think that 'Top 15' would be real. This year the level has risen and it won't be easy at all but you have to set goals. I always push myself, I'm the first. I'm competitive and I like to improve and that is the objective. That's why I am where I am, I have always wanted to improve and progress", he stated.

One of his assets, with 12 Dakars completed out of 12 started, is his regularity and good strategy. Of course, for this Dakar 2023, he wants to change his tactics and not go out and see them coming. It seeks to start gas so as not to be relegated and forced to seek to climb positions.

"Last year we made the mistake of being a little too cautious, especially in the prologue. He made us go too far back the whole first week and that's where we caught up. He lost us a lot of time. This year we have to start a little more awake from the start ", she was sincere, ambitious.

"In this Dakar, in which I think even more things will happen, it's time to go from less to more. It will be harder, there is more trouble and more stage kilometres. There will be more cars with durability problems and it will pay to not take care of the car" , qualified.

On the other hand, when it comes to facing her 13th Dakar, she denied being superstitious although, seeing that many people ask her about it around her and in the press, she begins to see it with different eyes. "I'm getting a bad feeling about Dakar number 13. I'm not at all superstitious but in the end, based on telling me everything, I get a little... No, I'm kidding. I'm past this. I'll be fine, sure" she assured.

Laia Sanz recognizes that Carlos Sainz is a kind of mentor for her, because of the many pieces of advice he gives her and because of the "honor" of sharing the Extreme-E experience with him, a competition in which they are teammates.

"Having raced with Carlos Sainz in Extreme-E has given me everything. Starting the transition to four wheels with him is an honor, because I'm taking steps and advancing learning with him. It's amazing. I've learned a lot both in driving and in set-up of the car, which have been of great help to me and Carlos is there helping to the fullest", he acknowledged.

In addition, he is a highly valued advisor. "He has given me a lot of advice. It's not just one thing, there are many. From setting up the car, driving, a bit of everything. We talked about everything a bit, he cared about me and it's nice to have someone like that at the to be able to call and ask questions", he was sincere.

Of course, in this 2023 Dakar Rally they will be 'rivals'. "In the Dakar we will see each other and we will be able to talk, but during the rally you have to let him focus because he is there fighting to win. He has to be focused on his own," he argued.

So, because of this learning from the Dakar past - first in cars - and with Sainz's advice, the Catalan is going to this Dakar 2023 "with the same enthusiasm" and even more ambition. "Being the second Dakar in cars, I am calmer than last year, which was all very new. And now, with the experience of having also raced in the Extreme-E, well, I am calmer than last year," he concluded. she.

"I sign to finish satisfied. The 'Top 15' is the goal and we may not be able to meet it, but if we leave satisfied... I would sign to finish happy and having done a good job, with a good image and being competitive," she reiterated.