Sainz: Veteran force

Sainz is moody with moments of brilliance

A two-time world champion, veteran Carlos Sainz is one of the all-time rally greats.

The Spaniard continues to go about his business in much the way he always has - perhaps not the quickest driver, but consistent, and always a contender.

Sainz does not have Colin McRae's raw speed - although he is not far behind - but he is steady and reliable. And that makes him a dangerous adversary over a season.

Notoriously self-centred, Sainz is not far from being an aristocrat in Spain, and he certainly comports himself in the manner of one.

He is not much of a team player, something that has caused problems between him and McRae both this year and when they were team-mates at Subaru a few seasons ago.

Sainz did not trouble McRae that much, but he makes far fewer mistakes than the Scot.

That might be enough to keep him in a Ford drive for 2003.