Carlos Sainz fulfilled a lifelong dream on Sunday when he tackled the Rally de Monte Carlo's final stage, labeling the experience as "fantastic".
The Renault F1 driver was entrusted with a specially prepared Mégane R.S. course car to take on the event's ultimate 13.58km special stage on the backroads above Monaco.
Sainz put his family genes to good use , mastering the snowy, icy conditions with the skill one would expect from the son of world rally champion.
Carlos Sainz Sr won the Rallye de Monte-Carlo three times, in 1991, 1995 and 1998 and the World Rally Championship drivers’ title in 1990 and 1992.
"That was very special," said the 23-year-old Renault driver.
"I have dreamt about doing this a lot of times in my life and now thanks to Renault it has come true. I have always wanted to do a rally with a co-driver, pace notes and a good pace and I loved it.
"The car was really good. It had different modes of driving that I was testing to get fully comfortable. You had the race mode, sport mode and a bit of traction control that you could adjust.
"The steering was very accurate and suspension was stiff for the twisty sections so I was really enjoying it a lot. It was a fantastic experience - quite slippery in places to give the full Monte Carlo experience!
"My dad just told me to take it carefully, but I had a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone for the opportunity."
Sainz Sr was delighted his son was offered an opportunity to enjoy a competitive run on a special stage of rally's blue-ribbon event.
"I'm very happy that Carlos has experienced a taste of such a legendary rally," added Sainz Sr.
"Monte Carlo was, and still is, a very special race for all motorsport fans. Carlos has driven rally cars before, but experiencing the roads of this particular event is different.
"I gave him a couple of tips, but the most important one was 'enjoy'."
Renault has a long history of competition in Rallye Monte-Carlo. A privately-entered Renault won the 1925 edition of the rally and a Renault Nervasport took victory in the 1935 event.
Jean Ragnotti was victorious in the 1981 rally with the Renault 5 Turbo, while 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the 1958 win with a Dauphine spéciale driven by Jacques Féret and Guy Monraisse.
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