Carlos Sainz on racing rituals and the uncomfortable reality of diapers in motorsport

Carlos Sainz has several years of off-road rallies experience under his belt. He claimed the title in the Dakar Rally in 2010, 2018, and 2020. The challenges of long stages and travelling to them in off-road rallies can present specific difficulties for competitors. Stopping for a "need" can result in valuable time lost. The presence of fans along the route can complicate things further, and public toilets are rarely available.

Carlos Sainz was a guest on the "El Hormiguero" programme, where he addressed, among other things, the rather embarrassing question of using diapers in racing cars. The 62-year-old Spaniard didn't endorse this solution, although he admitted to trying it out.

"Many individuals opt for wearing diapers. I tried them once, but I felt extremely uncomfortable. I had issues with comfortably sitting down and fastening the seat belts, so I only used them on one occasion" - stated Carlos Sainz.

Sainz explained that he had methods to avoid the sudden need for a restroom during race times.

"I have certain rituals. I consistently stick to the same breakfast and limit my drinking. The amount of miles between the camp and the race start point also factors in. If you have three hours to get there, you can afford to drink a bit extra than usual. However, I don't really start drinking until I start sweating," revealed Carlos Sainz.

Sainz has a wealth of experience in motorsports to share. Interestingly, his athletic journey began with squash, but he quickly shifted his attention to racing. He made his rally debut as a teenager, and his most recent victory in the Dakar Rally was when he was 58.