I won’t rally Polo, insists Sainz

Carlos Sainz has scotched rumours that he will make a sensational return to the FIA World Rally Championship as a driver next season.

After a demonstration outing in a prototype version of Volkswagen’s all-new Polo R WRC on Rallylegend San Marino in October, Sainz and former co-driver Luis Moya were linked to a one-off outing in the WRC in 2013.

However, Sainz says this is definitely not the case and will instead focus on his role as Volkswagen’s brand ambassador and sporting advisor once he returns from contesting the Dakar Rally in South America next month.

“Now we have three drivers confirmed and it is important for them all to have as much time in the car as they can,” said Sainz, who along with Sebastien Ogier has carried out significant development running in the Polo. “Of course, if I am needed to test the car then I will, but that’s not the plan for now.”

Sainz, 50, last took part on a round of the WRC in Greece in 2005 when he was called up to deputise for Francois Duval after the Belgian was temporarily dropped from the factory Citroen line-up following a run of poor results.