Rally : Carlos Sainz Claims Victory in His Debut at the Acropolis Rally

Carlos Sainz achieves his first victory in the World Rally Championship in 1990, a milestone that marks the beginning of his legend. Here we tell you how this triumph changed the course of his career and Spanish motorsport.

In June 1990, the Acropolis Rally becomes the stage for Sainz's crowning alongside his co-driver Luis Moya. After a tough year, where his Toyota Celica GT-4 suffered chassis failures, the Spanish duo arrives with determination. Over four days and 2,034 km of competition, Sainz faces Juha Kankkunen, who is now driving a Lancia Delta HF Integrale. The battle is fierce; Sainz takes the lead on the second day with just a two-second advantage.

Ultimately, Sainz and Moya control the pace and cross the finish line 46 seconds ahead of Kankkunen, breaking the curse that had been hanging over them. This victory, the first of 26 in his career, opens the doors to the Olympus of the WRC. Sainz, with caution, states that his goal is to maintain the lead until the end of the season. With wins in New Zealand, Finland, and Great Britain, he becomes the world champion, solidifying his legacy in motorsport.