MADRID, 2 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, highlighted this Friday “the capacity for work, effort, sacrifice and excellence” of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz, champions of the 2024 Dakar Rally, an “example for society”, two “extraordinary athletes” and “two very good people.”
The Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace, headquarters of the Madrid City Council, hosted this Friday the tribute to driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz, champions of the Dakar 2024 with the 100% electrified Audi car.
The councilor highlighted that, since they received them in 2020 – for their third Dakar – “many things have happened”, although “what has not changed in any case” is “the capacity for work, effort, sacrifice and excellence “of the champions. “You are an example for society as a whole, an example that everything can be achieved through teamwork,” he commented.
“In these four years (since your last victory in the race in Saudi Arabia) you have continued to be that hammer. I thank Audi for the project with this car, for the investment and for example that is given to society with a 100% car. percent electric,” Almeida said during the event.
The mayor insisted that Sainz and Cruz are “the best” in the world of rallying. “And you have demonstrated it with this fourth Dakar. In Spain we not only have great athletes, not only are they winners, but they are excellent people. They are not only transmitters of sporting feats, but also of values to society. We are very lucky to have athletes as extraordinary as you, I am sure that you will return. Together we are much stronger,” he concluded.
The 61-year-old driver from Madrid spoke before, who acknowledged that this fourth 'Touareg' is “a little special” after the accident in 2023 and because of the “doubts” surrounding the “brave” project. “There were no more cartridges to spend, and that's why it made it special. There were also doubts about the preparation tests, because we had problems. But the team has always believed, Lucas has had a fantastic rally, without him it would have been impossible,” he confessed .
“Thank you for all the love, before, during and after winning. Bringing the trophy is exciting, it gives us a lot of pride. I feel Spanish, but very Madrid-based. Talking about Madrid throughout the world is a pleasure, it is an unbeatable city. When you work as a team, you achieve more challenges and results than when you don't work as a team, for whoever wants to take it. That it hosts F1 is another example of what Madrid is capable of doing,” praised Sainz.
Finally, Lucas Cruz thanked his teammate and Audi for the “trust.” “The few who trusted are the ones who have fought to achieve it. It is one more example that teamwork pays off,” concluded the co-pilot.